In fall 2026, University of Georgia students will gain a new greenspace in central campus that is certain to become an integral part of student life: the revitalized Legion Field. The area, to be redeveloped after the removal of Legion Pool, will be more than twice the size of Herty Field and will feature an outdoor amphitheater, Wi-Fi and enhanced pedestrian accessibility.
But those are not the only major benefits of the forthcoming project.
In its current form, Legion Field is unused approximately 92% of the time, hosting just 26 scheduled events per year. Meanwhile, Legion Pool has experienced a significant decline in visits, with net revenue losses amounting to $438,645 over the last five years and a net loss of almost $90,000 in fiscal year 2025 alone.
When the pool is removed and the Legion Field site is redeveloped, student activity fee reserves previously used to offset these annual deficits will be redirected to support initiatives that directly benefit students.
“We are able to both revitalize a key campus space that students have not used into an exciting and beautiful new space, as well as realize student activity fee savings that we can use to enhance other student engagement and support programs,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Michelle G. Cook. “Students are excited about the look and possibilities of this new signature campus location, and we are excited to be able to put their fees toward programs and facilities they will actually experience.”
One of the earliest projects to benefit from the student activity reserves savings will be a significant expansion of the Student Food Pantry. Established in 2011 as an entirely student-run resource through the Panhellenic Council and Greek Life, its operation was transferred to Student Care and Outreach and UGA Student Affairs in 2025 due to increased demand and growth in recent years.
Since January 2025, nearly 60,000 pounds of food has been distributed, with the pantry experiencing an average of 100 visits per day at its location on the first floor of the Tate Student Center. Julia Buwick, community of care coordinator with Student Care and Outreach, said that currently, at only 137 square feet, the space is barely large enough for two people to navigate at the same time.
“We stock the pantry every morning and every evening, and the pantry is pretty much cleared out every day,” Buwick said. “It’s literally nearly a closet.”
With student activity fee reserves not otherwise tied up in shoring up the Legion Pool annual operational deficit, Student Affairs is able to hold approximately $300,000 of student activity fee reserves to fund the renovation and hardware costs. The food itself is provided through donations and UGA Foundation sources. The expansion project will see the pantry grow almost tenfold to 1,100 square feet. Additionally, the new space will be fitted with up to four refrigerators and four freezers, new shelving and increased floor space for both customers and volunteers to interact.
“In partnership with the Northeast Georgia Food Bank, it’s important to provide fresh and frozen foods,” Buwick said. “It’s important for choice, nutritional impact, variety of food and dignity. More room lets us provide the customer and volunteer experience everyone deserves.”
In addition to the physical expansion, Buwick said that future improvements could include the creation of a “web of resources” that could serve students across campus, from sourcing food to different locations across campus, to refrigerated lockers that allow for pre-ordering and pickup, to a refrigerated van capable of transporting food to multiple campus locations.
“When you look at the numbers and usage, this is a necessity. Food is essential, and no one should feel embarrassed about needing this resource, and students should be able to access it,” Buwick said. “Not only is it great that we’re able to use student fees and student volunteers to support other students — I think it’s just the right thing to do.”
Another aspect of the student experience that stands to benefit from Legion Field operational savings is the allocation of student fees to registered student organizations. For the 2026 fiscal year, more than $200,000 in student activity fees were allocated to academically related clubs and organizations through their respective school or college, and around $1.2 million was distributed via the campus-wide “All-campus Allocations Committee,” comprised entirely of UGA students. Eliminating the annual net loss in student activity fees caused by the operation of Legion Pool can provide a substantial boost to this key process in which the students themselves determine the best ways to support student organizations with their own student fees.
“Renovating the pool and its associated facilities would have required millions in capital investment to serve a tiny segment of our student body,” said Eric Atkinson, dean of students. “By making this change now, we can work with student leaders to redirect their student fees to support initiatives that meet their most pressing needs.”