West Texas A&M University is in talks for a new football stadium to be built on campus within the next year. While this project is in its preliminary stages, some progress has been made in student government.

The stadium is to be named by students and is expected to be open for official use by fall 2017. It would be used not only for sports, but also for commencement ceremonies, concerts and other events in the community.

“We are currently in the process of passing a legislative referendum on the issue of the proposed stadium so the student body can vote on it when spring elections take place,” Esdras Rodriguez, a sophomore Biology/Pre-Med major and senator for the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, said.

“Dr. O’Brien talked to us in our meeting about it and showed us pictures of some fields he has in mind if the bill passes,” Dru Lust, sophomore Agriculture Business and Economics major and senator for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said. “He painted a picture for us of what it could look like. We have officially made it into a bill to be voted on.”

Student Body President Edward Akinyemi said the stadium would cost around $22 million to build, but would generate somewhere around $40 million in savings. He also said once parking issues are resolved, the stadium could foster a new environment for students and alumni, especially during events like homecoming. More options for food and beverages in the concession stands could be part of the new stadium, as well as a tailgating atmosphere at football games.

“Kimbrough is not ADA compliant and for us to meet that standard, it would cost a lot more than building a new stadium on campus would,” Rodriguez said. “It would allow our community to be more involved in our campus. Also, we would have a more appealing campus, and a new stadium would bring it to life on game days.”

Although there is no word yet on when the proposed student bill will be put to a vote in the Senate, the new stadium will ultimately be up to the student body if and when it passes. There are several kinks to be ironed out in this process and students will need to be well-informed about how the potential changes could affect them.

The added athletic fees, which are separate from any tuition increases that may be applied, are set to be $10 more per credit hour up to 13 hours.

Sophomore Nursing major Emily Greenhaw said she was strictly against the idea of a new football stadium on campus before she heard the facts, as she would rather see money be used for other departments.

“I’m partial to the music program or other programs receiving money because I’m in the symphony, and everyone wants money for the programs they’re involved in,” Greenhaw said. “I think that sports teams already have a lot of funding here. While I don’t support the bill, I actually think that it could help with recruitment and would actually save the university money in the long run.”

Greenhaw said if students are properly informed, they will probably be more inclined to support the new stadium. She also said she thinks a new stadium would bring the university together in some ways as it would be more accessible to students without transportation than Kimbrough Memorial Stadium is at this point.