Univ. of Minnesota Board of Regents Chair Dean Johnson yesterday said that the approval vote needed to break ground on a $190M athletics village "will be delayed again -- at least until October," according to Jason Gonzalez of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Johnson said an informational meeting for the university facilities committee will be held Sept. 10, and on Oct. 9 the regents "hope to take a vote on the athletics village, which would include a plan for the track (complex)." He added, "No. 1, it’s a very visible program and we have to do it right. No. 2, we have to make sure the appropriate financing is in place. No. 3, that the actual facility will meet the competitive needs for our student-athletes. No. 4, this building will be closely watched." Gonzalez notes the regent’s vote on the project "originally was scheduled for the June meeting before being pushed back in early June to the September schedule." Speculation that the vote "would be delayed yet again escalated after former athletic director Norwood Teague resigned Aug. 7 when two university officials accused him of sexual harassment." Johnson said that he "has heard from donors who have remained committed to the project" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/26).
