I guess it’s time to get back to writing some opinions on Colonels sports. The first topic is the recreation facility everyone is waiting to be built. If you don’t care to read this, stop now because you may not like what I have to say.

I have read the facts and the hang-ups of why this project has not gotten off the ground. But sometimes facts can become lame excuses, just like the ones the New Orleans Saints use to explain their having the same old season year after year.

You know, one thing I have noticed coming back to school is how slow projects get done in non-private organizations. I have one word for them – inefficiency

To the University’s credit, I do realize there are challenges faced when trying to complete projects- understandable. However, the University began assessing fees as early as 2001 for the recreational center. However, seven years later, we have nothing, nada, zilch.

Where is all the money that has been collected?

My rough estimates… Again, I say rough estimates, put the University collecting nearly $ 7 million. I came up with this figure by taking the student-assessed fee of around $75.00 and multiplying this by 6,800 students a semester for seven years. I am again amazed.

I am also looking at the archives on www.thenichollsworth.com. It’s easy; when you go to the home page, type in recreational center and start reading away. You will be amazed how the project has evolved into what it is today. I would like to thank the wonderful legal process here in Louisiana. Keep up the good work.

The University claims it is out of their hands. The University says the state is involved in trying to reach a deal to buy the land from some guy who owns all the land here in Thibodaux. And you know what is funny, this guy probably has more money than the Federal Reserve. It all boils down to greed.

How can one person hold back economic development in a town? What about the right of the state to take land for public use? What is it called, uh… eminent domain? Even this obstacle should not take 462 years to get solved. Something is wrong with this whole deal.

So, people, we have the fees placed since 2001, and what happens next? Well, the University has been in a “planning phase” for nearly 8 years because of some guy who refuses to sell his land for $ 25 million instead of $ 27 million. (By the way, these numbers are made up, and my accusations are merely based on speculation.)

Oh, and one other thing, you cats sitting around for your board meeting, put this on your agenda. You should think about giving lifetime access for all the students that have paid to use the facility. Students help pay your salaries. Take care of it.

In my experience, it goes back to the character of people. There are the doers and the talkers. That’s right. In life there are the people who get things done, and then there are the people who talk about getting things done. Sounds like Louisiana politics? Well it is. And I am tired of listening to it, and you should be too.

Too much legal mumbo jumbo gets in the way of good common sense. So I leave you with this:

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