Assumption stadium plans to differ from SAU blueprint

By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger

DAVENPORT — With the transfer and sale of St. Vincent property from St. Ambrose University to Assumption High School, work is underway for site plan approval and then to obtain building permits for a sports complex. The project includes practice fields, parking and eventually a football/track stadium.

Andy Craig, president of Assumption High School, said a lot of studies have already been done as a result of plans St. Ambrose presented for its proposed sports complex on St. Vincent property. While the Davenport City Council voted in favor of rezoning for St. Ambrose’s proposed sports complex, Mayor Bill Gluba vetoed the council’s decision.

Because the property is now owned by a K-12 institution, Assumption does not have to seek approval from Davenport’s planning and zoning board or city council in order to build. However, city approval is required for site plans and building permits before any work can be done, Craig said.

The first phase of the sports complex – practice field and additional parking – is the first priority for Assumption and St. Ambrose. Craig said he would like to see a track and football field for the next phase and a stadium to be built around the field and track at a later date.

Plans presented to the city will be similar — but not the same — as what St. Ambrose presented, Craig said. Stadium seating of around 2,500 would be a little small, he said, but a 5,000-seat stadium is not likely. “We do not have a final number (for seating).”

Craig hopes that ground can be broken this year for practice fields.

Fundraising will be needed for the future, but not right now. Craig said when the Diocese of Davenport, which owned the St. Vincent property first, filed for bankruptcy, “we were concerned what might happen in the future and started to save some money (for possible purchase of the property).” So there is some money available already.

“It’s business as usual for both sides (Assumption and St. Ambrose), no matter who owns the property. We have been sharing fields and will continue to do.”