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Indiana State welcomes renovation, expansion at former Arena Building

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO) — “I think there’s only one way to describe it and that’s ‘opportunity,’” Shawn Antony said.

Indiana State University is giving students new opportunities thanks to a $64 million renovation and expansion of Indiana State University’s former Arena Building.

It’s a renovation ISU senior Antony was excited to see.

“To have this building expanded and to be made new is kind of a new beginning for us, for Indiana State and, hopefully, Indiana,” Antony said.

The new Health and Human Services Building has moved across campus, from Chestnut Street to Fifth Street.

With the renovations, students will have new classrooms, new laboratories, study rooms, clinical rooms and more.

Local officials, students and lawmakers marked the celebration with a ribbon-cutting and tours around the building.

“So, it’s a great day,” said Greg Goode, ISU executive director of government relations. “It’s been many years in the making; a $64 million state appropriation for the construction of the college of Health and Human Services. We are deeply grateful for the state of Indiana for believe in Indiana State University, believing in our community and believing in our students.”

For ISU’s second-largest college, the new building allows space for the program to grow and for more opportunities for new and incoming students.

“And, we truly treat this as a gift,” Goode said, “and investment, if you will. And, it’s our responsibility to insure a strong return on that investment and that is working hard and forces on student success.”

The buildings aren’t complete. But, officials say, they wanted to hold the ceremony for President Dan Bradley before his tenure at ISU comes to an end DEc. 31 because “it wouldn’t have been possible without him.”

Classes are set to start in the new building next semester, and the entire project will be complete by early spring.