PERU – Peru State held a groundbreaking Saturday for a multipurpose dome that will help more than double indoor recreational and athletic space on campus.

Peru State President Michael Evans said the ground breaking is a culmination of a lot of work that secured enough funding to get started on a $14.6 million building campaign. Evans called the ground breaking a major milestone in the school’s history.

Evans: “It means we’re ready to go shortly after commencement. We will bring in the machinery.”

The site near the Oak Bowl football stadium will house an air-supported, artificially-turfed dome that will be used for intramural sports, club sports and Bobcat athletics.

Evans: “This means they can practice late at night, it will be well lit. They can practice in February when its zero out, they can practice in August when it’s 100 out, and be comfortable.”

In addition to a state allocation and the school’s own funds, Project ROAR is relying on donations of $4 million from alumni and private sources. The school announced in March it had raised $1 million.

An additional $3 million more is needed to finish out the buildings, which include the Diamond Building near the baseball and softball fields.

Betty Barrett of Peru said the land was used for student housing when she enrolled.

Barrett: “I came down here to school in 1952. I rode the train down from Union to Peru. I think Harold Johnson met us at the train and took us up for our exams.”

She met her husband Clyde who was a Peru State student and became a vice president.

 

Sophomore quarterback Will Mueller spoke and Bobcat Football Coach Phil Ockinga led the team in a thank you.

Ockinga: “One last one, give them two men.”

Carlos Harrison of Shenandoah graduated from Peru State in 1951. He said the groundbreaking was wonderful.

Harrison: “Put the place roaring around here.”

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