With all due deference to the Government of the Student Body Varsity Theater research task force, the idea that student fees should be used to purchase a movie theater is asinine.

First, Ames already has an abundant number of movie theaters either in the city or close by.

In a perfect situation where the proposed Cyclone Cinema is able to purchase a limited number of reels of blockbuster movies, they would be in direct competition with Cinemark Movies 12, a company with abundantly more resources and advertising power.

If the hypothetical Cyclone Cinema were to pick up movies later than when they are first released or turn their attention to independent movies, they would be in competition with Cinemark North Grand 5.

The small benefit to Campustown of buying the former Varsity Theater would be heavily outweighed by being in direct competition with pre-established companies.

The fierce competition within the city is not the only concern with the current plan before the Student Body Senate.

The budgetary numbers for the proposed takeover of the old Varsity Theater are just staggering.

Take any business major and tell them that, on limited resources, you were planning on funneling $177,182 into renovation costs into a potential business with projected operating losses for a five-year lease with no profit potential in sight.

They would tell you that you would be better off investing in General Motors.

Even though I don’t think that GSB should be getting into the movie business, a potential profit on their behalf would lessen that doubt. That is, however, not the case.

We are in the midst of deep financial recession that has hit the university hard.

Now is not the time to invest money in a failing business plan.

Corey Becker is a senior in political science.