The Auburn University Marching Band’s No. 1 priority is safety, according to Associate Band Director Corey Spurlin.
The Board of Trustees approved additions to the Band Practice Complex at its meeting this month.
According to Spurlin, these changes are overdue and were planned in 2008.
“Back in 2008, we talked about how we needed some kind of coverage for inclement weather as a safety concern,” Spurlin said.
They have a pavilion now, but are planning to expand it.
“The pavilion being expanded will be pretty nice,” said junior drumline member David Allain. “If we have inclement weather, we can just go in the building and be completely safe from lighting and rain. That’s always nice.”
Protection from inclement weather isn’t the only safety concern. The marching band is also putting a turf field in place of the sod practice field. The sod field had ruts and holes that caused concern for band members, according to Allain.
“You do have an uneasy feeling sometimes,” Allain said. “There are certain ruts that are pretty deep you feel like you have to avoid so you don’t twist your ankle or anything like that.”
Spurlin sees issues with the sod field too.
“We have huge ruts on the field, which is kind of dangerous to them [band members],” Spurlin said.
The new turf field will improve safety, according to Allain.
“The turf field won’t rut at all,” Allain said. “It’ll stay the same. It’ll also drain.”
The turf field itself is going to cost $2.7 million, according to Vivian Langley, director of development of the College of Liberal Arts. The money is coming from donors, as well as the Auburn athletic department, Langley said.
The field will feature all the markings of Jordan-Hare Stadium and will have the exact dimensions, according to Allain.
The band is also adding changing facilities and storage facilities next to the turf field.
“This is going to provide a place for students to change and a safe place for their belongings, Spurlin said.
Spurlin also stressed how the storage facilities will add longevity to the instruments.
“It helps us save money long-term because we don’t have to replace this stuff as often,” Spurlin said. “It’s important, because this stuff isn’t cheap.”
According to Allain, it had to be done.
“They have had to keep tubas outside,” Allain said. “The drumline equipment has been packed into one tiny shed. It’ll be nice to be a little big more spaced out. Our shed was falling apart.”
The band is also trying to raise enough money for a new band auditorium in Goodwin Hall. The auditorium will provide more space, according to Spurlin.
“We can barely move in Goodwin,” Allain said “Having a bigger band room will help. You’re really packed in there. Packed in like a sardine.”
The College of Liberal Arts has raised the money for the entire project except for the additions to Goodwin Hall, according to Langley.
“That finish line is right there,” Langley said. “It’ll be nice to get her done.”
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