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Having worked on Bonfire in 1999, been there at the collapse, helped start the off-campus Bonfire in 2001, and participated in various aspects of 7 Bonfires; I feel I have a unique insight to the issues surrounding many things "Bonfire". I don't speak on behalf of the off-campus Bonfire or it's organization; I speak for myself on my own recognizance.
On that note, I feel that there are a few questions (that the Administration probably does not have satisfactory answers to) that stand between A&M Students and an on-campus Bonfire.

1. What legal liability remains from the collapse in 1999 and how will an on-campus Bonfire affect that?
Dr. Gates told me in person in 2002 that "Bonfire will not return to campus until after the lawsuits are settled." There are still suits remaining to be settled in lower courts, therefore the time has not come per Dr. Gates' statement. Secondly, any injury that may come from activity in an on-campus Bonfire could be seen as gross negligence on the part of the University, opening it up to some serious lawsuits.

2. Who would build Bonfire if it were to return?
Bonfire is a 40-50ft. structure built by hand and constructed mainly with raw lumber, wire, and heavy cable; using heavy equipment sparingly. It is erected using techniques unique only to Bonfire, with a leadership structure specific to student organization and involvement, and with a burning desire that is purely Aggie. The construction of this extremely unique structure could be outsourced to one of thousands of construction companies out there, but I feel that the only entity that could possibly construct an on-campus Bonfire with the dignity that Bonfire deserves is the group that is currently building the off-campus Bonfire. The management, capital, relationships, design, time line, and every other aspect of Bonfire have been arranged and are fully transferable to any location within a decent distance from campus, including on-campus. Off-Campus Bonfire has relocated the site of burn and cut at least 4 times in it's 7 year history and is fully capable of making another move, if necessary.

3. Where on-campus could a Bonfire be built? West Campus. The area West of Reed Arena, across from John Kimbrough Blvd. is perfect; with plenty of parking available at Reed Arena; as well as ample locations for bus drop-offs from various other parking locations.

4. What kind of relationship or arrangements would be needed to make Bonfire a reality on-campus? The same arrangements that any other contracting or construction company make when doing construction on-campus. I'm sure that, if the Administration cares to make on-campus Bonfire a reality, they could stream-line that process for the group that they deem capable of building Bonfire. Some funding would be required to secure liability insurance, but I'm sure that a motivated Administration and the Aggie Network could pull together the funds necessary to manage any risk Bonfire construction and burning may entail.

As the students realized in 2002 when off-campus Bonfire began, it all comes down to the first question, that is liability. If this liability can be mitigated with sufficient insurance, I am positive that the remainder of the questions can be answered (as they were above) and on-campus Bonfire can return.

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Where on-campus could a Bonfire be built? West Campus.

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I don't know why everyone thinks the polo fields couldn't be used again. The memorial is TINY compared to the overall size of the field.

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Some funding would be required to secure liability insurance,

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What's done for that now?

[This message has been edited by NoACDamnit (edited 11/13/2007 2:48p).]

NoAC-
No disrespect here, but you don't think the polo fields are off limits? Having it on campus ANYWHERE is going to be protested by many for a variety of reasons; I wouldn't want to inflame the situation by building in the shadows of the memorial.

Soil stability should also be a major factor in any decision to change/not change location.

The polo fields were originally just land next to a drainage area. This kind of land is constantly wet, and soft. While it is possible to make the ground conditions suitable for construction of a temporary structure once a year, it would be easier and cheaper to find higher ground somewhere else on campus...

IMHO, Bonfire should never have been on the polo fields as the polo fields were, and still are. That area should have been worked over better before even being considered a good location structurally speaking...logistically speaking, it is probably the best. Hwy 6 meets FM 60.

IIRC, Bowen's Bonfire 2002 proposal had chosen the Polo Fields for the location.

Why not west campus, or duncan field again?

Duncan Field is the site of the future Health Science/Services Building, amongst other reasons.

Duncan field is too small. The perimeter around Bonfire should be at least as far out as the Stack is high. That puts a 50ft wide/long/tall stack in the center, 50 feet of perimeter on all sides, creating a circle with a diameter of 150 feet.

Duncan Field is 300 ft wide by 700ft long. Minus the area required for perimeter, you are looking at putting 100,000+ people in a 192,329sqft field. Not a good idea.

The area I indicated at West Campus is ideal.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=College+Station,+TX,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=30.606835,-96.349518&spn=0.006242,0.011265&t=h&z=17&om=1

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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.