Pittsburgh State University breaks ground on $13M event center

As confetti falls, officials turn the first ceremonia spades of dirt for the Robert W. Plaster Center at PSU. -Photo courtesy PSU

PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Pittsburg State University has broken ground on a new $13 million event center.

The Joplin Globe reports officials from Pittsburg State, the city of Pittsburg, the Kansas Board of Regents and private donors attended the groundbreaking Tuesday.

The center, which is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2015, will include a 100-yard turf field, a 300-meter track and seating for up to 1,500. It will also include locker rooms for football, men’s and women’s track, as well as offices and meeting rooms.

Officials say the construction of the indoor event center was key in the NCAA’s recent decision to select Pittsburg State to host the 2016 and 2018 Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track Championships.