Arkansas Tech University preparing for eclipse, making thousands of dollars off parking
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The preparation for the total solar eclipse is entering its last few weeks and soon total darkness and an unknown number of tourists will descend on cities and towns across the state.
During that time, empty space will be an opportunity for those willing to rent it. Arkansas Tech University knows that. It’s one reason why it’s been preparing for two years for the total solar eclipse.
“It’s literally all hands on deck,” ATU Eclipse Chair Susan West said.
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She explained part of their plans is more than 250 parking spaces being offered for reservation online for a day or the whole eclipse weekend. The prices range from $75 to $2,500. If each parking space is reserved, a total of $100,000 would be collected.
At $75, there are 150 spaces in the Tucker Coliseum parking lot for day use on April 8. Of those, 29 have sold so far.
At $150, there are 75 spaces in the campus recreation fields parking lot for day use on April 8. Of those, 40 are sold so far.
At $2500, there are a total of 31 RV spaces in two lots. Those are all available for a three-night stay beginning Saturday, April 6.
“We’re not trying to make a profit. We are just trying to help our students who are currently attending the university,” West said.
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Specifically, around 200 students who all trained Tuesday for the job will be facilitating the paying guests. Each dollar raised is going back into 10 different student organizations the volunteers, including John Hiland, are involved with.
“Now some of these clubs that may not have been able to fundraise to go to conferences or championships, this allows those students to get that kind of experience,” Hiland explained.
Every student participating learned 25 different skills at manned stations, everything from first aid to radio communications and even public relations.
“They’re not sitting in front of a slideshow or a screen or anything. It’s a really full all-encompassing training,” Hiland said.
As of March 12, 69 parking spaces have been reserved from people as far as California and North Carolina or as close as Northwest Arkansas. It equates to $8,175 so far going toward student programs.
The participating student organizations are quite diverse from the robotics team to emergency management majors. They all have jobs geared toward their skills. For example, the cheer squad will be the first smiling face people meet checking in.
“I think this is truly going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Arkansas and definitely Arkansas Tech University,” West said.
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If this venue with adventurous people from across the country sounds interesting, reservations are available online.
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