Assumption High School plans to build a stadium and sports complex on the St. Vincent's Center property in Davenport, Iowa.
On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, Assumption announced it has purchased the site from St. Ambrose University and plans to put a softball field, a stadium with a track, two practice fields, and a parking lot on the St. Vincent’s Center site just east of the high school.
In 2014, St. Ambrose University met with support from some area organizations, as well as opposition from others, for its own proposal to build a new stadium and sports complex on the St. Vincent’s property where a soccer field and other sports facilities already exist.
Neighbors opposed a rezoning of the site, voicing their concerns over storm water runoff, traffic, safety, and tailgating to aldermen.
The Davenport City Council approved the rezoning request for St. Ambrose, but Mayor Bill Gluba ultimately vetoed the measure in the summer of 2014.
City officials confirm that, unlike St. Ambrose University, the high school won’t need a zoning change to build a sports complex on the property. Schools and their athletic fields are zoned residential.
“Our students will use these facilities every school day and will benefit immensely from having added practice and competition areas available,” said Assumption High School President Andrew Craig, in a letter to Assumption parents. “We will, however, lease or otherwise grant use of these facilities to other appropriate community organizations including but not limited to St. Ambrose University, Scott County Catholic grade schools, and programs such as Rising Knights and Future Lady Knights (as schedules permit).”
"We have shared a strong history with Assumption High School since its founding," said a letter from St. Ambrose University President Sister Joan Lescinski. "The missions of Assumption and St. Ambrose have much in common: most especially our commitment to Catholic education. These new agreements will serve each of our respective institutions well, and they herald the beginning of an exciting new era for Catholic education in the Quad Cities."
Neighbors who opposed an SAU sports complex, though, said they were disappointed by the news.
"I wanted to cry. It's too bad it had to be done the way it did. We kind of expected it, but they got their way. Finally, even after everything that's been said and done," said Jacklynn Draper, who lives near the SVC site.
In a statement, Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba said he supported the high school expanding their athletic facilities. He explains that he vetoed St. Ambrose's rezoning request because, "the Aldermen and I wanted to protect the neighborhood from further University sprawl and gradual deterioration and devaluation of a major residential area."
Assumption will still have to work with the city to secure building permits and approval of the site plan.
Craig says the school hopes to start work in the coming months.