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Student Council endorses preserving Lambeth Field

Resolution comes amidst criticism of proposal to construct softball stadium at Lambeth Field

<p>The proposed softball stadium would be located at Lambeth Field.&nbsp;</p>

The proposed softball stadium would be located at Lambeth Field. 

At its last meeting of the fall semester Tuesday night, Student Council passed a resolution in support of preserving Lambeth Field, which could become the site of a new softball stadium under a controversial proposal the University’s Board of Visitors is slated to hear details about on Thursday. Student Council’s resolution was unanimously approved. 

If approved, the stadium seating and dugouts would would be located southeast of the Lambeth Field apartments, and the historic colonnades at Lambeth Field would surround the outfield. Plans for a facility outlined in Board documents include a home locker room, team meeting rooms and coaching and staff offices. 

Some students and local residents, however, have criticized the planning process for the stadium and are concerned about the potential impacts of light and noise, as well as the impacts on parking. The Board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee is expected to vote on an architect for the project Thursday, although a vote on the site of the project has been deferred

The resolution supporting Lambeth Field’s preservation said the more than 818 residents of Lambeth Apartments would suffer inconveniences due to noise and traffic, as well as the removal of the apartment complex’s parking lot, if the proposal were put into effect. It also defended the area’s historical value. 

“Lambeth Field is a historic and important space,” the resolution reads. “Student Council affirms the importance of green and historical spaces like Lambeth Field, and upholds the value of student and community input in decisions regarding the proposed softball stadium.”

Student Council Representatives also unanimously passed a bill creating eight new CIOs — CHN Yearbook Committee, Chronically Ill and Disabled Cavaliers, DOTA 2, Food Law at Virginia Organization, Lion’s Club, Machine Learning Club, Men Advancing Nursing Club and Paradanse Dance Crew.

Ty Zirkle, a third-year College student and Student Council Vice President for Organizations, sponsored the bill and recommended that all eight should be approved as CIOs, and representatives voted unanimously in favor of their approval. 

Finally, the legislative body passed two resolutions thanking CAR2Vote and the Center for Politics for their roles in the voter shuttle program

The first resolution thanked the University’s Center for Politics for a $477.50 donation — half the money required to finance the program, which repurposed SafeRide vans as shuttles between polling places and stops on Grounds and in Charlottesville. According to the resolution, 522 first-year students used the shuttle service to get to the polls on Election Day. 

The second of the resolutions recognized CAR2Vote, a local organization run by volunteers who drove students and Charlottesville residents to and from polling locations at Johnson Elementary School and Buford Middle School. 

The document stated Student Council’s deep gratitude for the organization’s contribution, calling it an invaluable service. 

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