As we approach the month of April and the end of the semester, we welcome the change in season. Warm weather and baseball season are in full swing. Super Bulldog Weekend is right around the corner and so are all of the festivities. All of Starkville will be geared up and ready to party in two weeks.
For now though, we must contend with Starkville. What I mean is that there is absolutely nothing to do in Starkville. There is the occasional concert or block party but those seem too few and far between.
I am sure that everyone has experienced that one weekend when everyone has gone home and Starkville is transformed into a ghost town This past weekend was probably one of the most boring I have ever experienced during my stay here. I sat around with a few friends of mine and I came to the conclusion that Starkville is down right dull. I have been to a few other college towns over the past three years and I notice that Starkville is lacking in a few areas.
Besides the regular arguments of Starkville not selling cold beer or the clubs closing rather early, there are a few other arguments or suggestions that could be made to improve Starkville.
First off, why don’t we have a miniature golf course? I know the idea might sound funny to some readers but think about it. A miniature golf course would be a great attraction and it would be something different to do. After every weekend of going to bars or sitting around at someone’s apartment, I would welcome a change in atmosphere around town.
In relation to a “mini” golf course, an idea like a go-cart track could also flourish here. Sure these ideas seem a bit far fetched because of Starkville’s size but I think that it is possible.
Starkville has made some progress by extending the closing time of the local bars and clubs to 1 a.m. and adding new restaurants to the mix. Starkville has the potential to be a great area with the MSU campus located in town and the city of Columbus located within 25 miles.
So what is holding Starkville back? Some can argue that Starkville is just not a big enough market to bring in different attractions. Perhaps we could chalk this one up to the state of the economy or maybe blame it on the war. Another argument can be made regarding city officials and their role in city development. Last year, a local business man attempted to open a “gentlemen’s club” outside West Point. Local protest caused that plan to change into the short lived Excalibur night club. Now I am not saying that a strip club was the best idea for that area or that one in Starkville would work, but I believe that the people in the area control who and what comes in. So why not add something new?
I must give credit where credit is due though. Over the past year or so, new clubs and restaurants have popped up in the area adding a new dimension to Starkville. Local events such as Bulldog Bash have evolved into one huge block party. The new shopping plaza on Highway 12 is an example of Starkville’s growth as well. If we continue on that path, I think Starkville will grow from a dull town into an exciting college town.
David Miller is a junior communication major.