Legislative leaders have revealed that LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey’s desire to renovate the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) might come to fruition this year. House Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Tanner Magee confirmed that there’s a chance the money would be set aside in the state construction budget, House Bill 2. However, how much funding would be allotted remains unknown, and it's unlikely that the PMAC renovations would receive more than the new LSU Library, which is set to receive $3.2 million in the current budget cycle.
LSU officials were surprised by this news, as the university did not request any funding for the PMAC in its capital outlay requests to the state. Mulkey had made the request for state funding for the renovation or replacement of the PMAC on April 19 during LSU Day at the Capitol, an annual event where LSU students, researchers, administrators, coaches, and athletes gather to showcase the university.
According to Magee, Mulkey had stated that the PMAC's degraded condition posed a safety risk to her players during a conversation with legislative leaders. However, some state leaders, including Governor John Bel Edwards, have questioned the proposal, emphasizing the need for a new library instead.
Rep. Barry Ivey had initially opposed the plan, citing the university’s $631 million upkeep backlog, but later softened his stance, stating that he would support funding for high priority needs, such as safety.
LSU officials hope that any improvements to the PMAC would benefit the entire campus. However, some lawmakers are concerned that funding for the PMAC renovations might result in cuts to other projects in the state’s construction budget. Lawmakers are currently meeting to determine how to allocate funds for the fiscal year starting July 1.
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