North Dakota State University's proposed barn near Fargo's new horse racing track isn't out of the gates yet.
Fearing voter approval of the so-called Youth Initiative could threaten school funding, NDSU officials Thursday delayed awarding the barn construction contract pending the outcome of Tuesday's election.
The initiative, formally known as Measure 3, would give tax breaks and student loan repayments to North Dakota residents in their 20s.
The Bank of North Dakota and state Tax Department have estimated its cost at $55 million over two years.
"There's enough fear here on campus that our share of that initiative would be several millions dollars," said NDSU spokesman Keith Bjerke. "And we can't put students' needs at risk for a horse barn."
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The 600-foot-long horse barn and arena would be the first piece of NDSU's equine studies campus, located adjacent to the North Dakota Horse Park racing track now under construction in northwest Fargo.
The NDSU Development Foundation is funding the $3 million barn project, but cuts in state funding could change spending priorities, Bjerke said.
"There may be higher or greater needs for what we can get from the foundation," he said.
School officials were ready to award the contract Thursday, but decided to wait until after the election. If Measure 3 fails, the contract will be awarded Wednesday as planned, Bjerke said.
If Measure 3 is approved, under a worst-case scenario the equine studies program would continue leasing space as it has the past two years from Red River Victory Ranch north of Hector International Airport, he said.
A decision not to build would have a major impact on the Horse Park, which plans to lease stalls from NDSU when the track opens next year.
"Just to start here, we can't do it without NDSU making their barn available to us," said Ken Pawluk, president of the Horse Park's executive committee.
The park plans to build its own barns after the first year of operation, Pawluk said.
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Members of the state Racing Commission appropriated $2.5 million in construction funds and $500,000 in operational funds to the Horse Park Foundation to build the track and the first bare-bones spectator accommodations.
The commission currently has $1 million in uncommitted funds, said director of racing Paul Bowlinger. Should NDSU not build the barn, commissioners would have discretion over whether or not to direct more money to the Horse Park.
"We're going to have to cross that bridge when we come to it," Bowlinger said.
The Youth Initiative was introduced by students and Democratic leaders as a way to entice young people to live in North Dakota. Republicans have criticized the measure, saying it costs too much and doesn't create jobs.
Politics had nothing to do with NDSU's decision, Bjerke said.
"I don't need to be in the middle of this debate," he said. "I think it's just the fear of the unknown."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
