UF’s Relay for Life could be moving outdoors next year.
During the past few years, Relay For Life has grown, and space has become limited at the usual venue, the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, said Allison Barkett, Relay at UF’s event chairwoman.
Bringing the event outside will allow more people to participate.
Both the American Cancer Society and the UF Relay For Life team want to move the event to an outdoor venue, Barkett said. Most Relay events across the nation are held outdoors.
“We’ve mapped it out, and we can fit about 16 more campsites on Norman Field,” she said. “We can fit even more on Flavet Field.”
Stephanie Rolon, a 20-year-old health science junior, will attend her fifth Relay event this weekend.
“I think it would be a lot of fun, and it would be open to new fundraisers,” she said of changing venues.
The move would require some adjustments.
The O’Connell Center gives Relay for Life a discounted price to use the venue and provides help with equipment and access to bathrooms and water fountains.
Despite the adjustments, Barkett said she believes a lot of benefits could come from the change.
“Awareness is one of the key things we are trying to achieve,” she said.
