Indiana State pushing on with arena renovation plans

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) - Terre Haute officials will support Indiana State University's plan to spend $37.5 million in state money on renovating its basketball arena without waiting for a larger project including construction of an adjoining convention center.

The Vigo County Capital Improvements Board president says he'll send a letter to state officials supporting the university's request. The state appropriation had been dedicated toward a planned $75 million Hulman Center and convention center project.

The Tribune-Star reports Indiana State president Dan Bradley says the school will support local officials if they pursue the convention center project in the future. But Bradley said the university can't afford to delay the arena renovations until convention center funding is lined up.

Renovation of the Hulman Center is estimated at $50 million. The 10,000-seat arena opened in 1973.

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Information from: Tribune-Star, http://www.tribstar.com