Downtown Bryan Association Update

Bonfire’s Cut Class Held on Campus for the First Time in 25 Years

Texas A&M President Mark Welsh announced in June that the annual Bonfire tradition would not return to campus. But can off campus version of Bonfire, which takes place on Old Hearne Road in Bryan, will continue. And Senior Redpot Mason Taylor expects a large turnout this year. “After they announced the t.u. game would not include a burn on campus, we figured that was our green light being told we are the official Bonfire, whether or not that was what they meant to say, that is what we took it as,” says Taylor. Taylor says they were approved to hold Cut Class, a Bonfire orientation, on campus for the first time in 25 years. “We will introduce them to things they need to know for Bonfire. How to cut down a tree, and how to move a tree, which we call swamping,” says Taylor. Students will also be taught safety tips and introduced to leadership during the orientation class at Rudder Auditorium. All participants must attend a Cut Class, even if they have participated in Bonfire before. “I think we are looking at huge growth this year. For a long time we’ve been the weird offshoot of Student Bonfire off campus that not a lot of people know about. But now that we have permission to be on campus for Cut Class, we are advertising all over campus,” says Taylor. Cut Classes will be held on August 27th and 28th at 6:30 p.m. at Rudder Auditorium. Click HERE for more information. Listen to “Bonfire’s Cut Class to be held on campus for the first time in 25 years” on Spreaker.

College Station City Council Majority Supports Getting More Information About A Proposed Indoor Recreation Center

The College Station city council decides to continue collecting information about possibly building an indoor recreation center. Five of seven members directed staff at Thursday’s meeting (August 22) to develop rough construction and operating costs and identify possible sites. Consultants shared results from 455 surveys that identified as high priorities, an indoor swimming pool, an indoor track, free weights, cardio equipment, and pickleball. Consultants also said there was public input from 39 people attending two open houses and 40 people participating in seven focus groups. Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the August 22, 2024 College Station city council meeting. Click HERE to read and download the consultant’s phase one findings that were given to the College Station council. Click HERE to read and download the consultant’s “findings report” that was given to the College Station council. Click HERE to read and download the consultant’s “engagement findings” that were given to the College Station council. Click HERE to read and download the consultant’s market analysis that was given to the College Station council. Click below to hear some of the comments from the August 22, 2024 College Station city council meeting.  

Statewide Survey Assessing Needs of Older Texans

The deadline is approaching to take a statewide survey assessing the needs of older Texans. Stacey Urbanczyk, Program Manager for the Area Agency on Aging Brazos Valley, says survey input could impact the amount of funding their program receives. “It is very important that people who deal with seniors and love seniors and want to have input take an opportunity to do this,” says Urbanczyk. Urbanczyk says this online survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is available through Monday, August 26th. “If we don’t let, as a community and as a region, let people know what our needs are for our seniors, nobody else may let them know,” says Urbanczyk. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is conducting the online survey to gather input from older adults, caregivers and service providers. Click HERE to take the online survey. Listen to “Provide Input on Aging Services to Support Older Texans” on Spreaker.