Big changes have happened around campus over the summer, including modifications to the UNI-Dome.

One of the new changes includes a five dollar increase in parking costs. This change has been a long time coming, as the free parking was not allowing the Dome to utilize the space to help cover overhead costs.

When asked about the parking change, senior Paige Dannenfeldt said, “I understand why it’s going up, and the fee is not too high. I appreciate that student parking costs have not gone up, and I can still park with my existing pass.”

Running a football game has high costs, especially when you consider everything that goes into it. The athletic staff told the NI that this money will go to help covering the costs of things such as: police to maintain a flow of traffic and provide security, maintenance and the operational costs of the Dome.

Another noticeable change is the playing surface. AstroTurf has been installed in the dome. AstroTurf is well known as a quality turf that will help out the track and field, football and softball teams who all play there. The new playing surface will also make our stadium more accommodating to the Cedar Falls High School football team and to visiting teams.

Justin Schemmel from the UNI athletic staff discussed the new turf.

“At the end of last year we examined it [the turf] as a need and acted on it,” Schemmel said.  “The AstroTurf is a great product, and we are really excited about it.”

The estimated cost of the AstroTurf is between $900,000 and $1,000,000 dollars once all expenses have been accounted for.

The final update is one that will directly benefit students. New tennis courts are being built on campus, adding on to our existing tennis courts. These courts can be utilized by students and will be lit up at night.

When asked about this new addition, Dannenfeldt said, “That’s really cool that they will be lit up. It would be really cool if we can start hosting the state tennis tournament with this update.”

With a similar estimated cost of $900,000 to $1,000,000, these courts are a collaborative project between the city of Cedar Falls, high schools in the area and UNI.

“The project [tennis courts] has the Cedar Falls schools, UNI and the city all involved with it,” Schemmel said. “They will benefit our students as well as our rec, and sports teams.”

These facilities changes vary in their degree of effect on students. The five dollar parking fee isn’t exactly going to break the bank. But students who want to play tennis will have great, lit-up tennis courts to play on. These changes each affect different students and sports in different ways and reflect progress on behalf of UNI.