The Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex will be a 150,000-square-foot building that will be located on approximately 6.55 acres of land along Wayne Avenue adjacent to the university. The land is owned by the commonwealth’s Department of General Services. It will be situated on 33 acres of property along Wayne Avenue previously owned by the Kovalchick Salvage Company.
The project was authorized by Act 35 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1999. In December 2000, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge authorized $3 million for design of a “convocation center” and pledged a $20 million match to IUP to help build the facility, preliminary named the Regional Development Center.
Since that time, careful and thoughtful discussions about fundraising initiatives, best design and use for the facility and appropriate siting of the building have been at the forefront of community and university discussion and study.
In addition to a hotel, the complex will include a 4,000- to 6,000-seat multi-use arena/convocation center to accommodate large events, including commencement, sporting events (intercollegiate and others), concerts and other cultural events, conferences, and trade shows.
It will offer a conference center that will provide a combination of dedicated and shared technologically advanced spaces with multiple uses in education and training based on the needs of a shifting economy from heavy industry to high technology and service-based economy.
It will feature integrated arrangement of shared multi-use spaces, including a 650-seat auditorium, grand lobby, break-out facilities, and commercial kitchen.
See a list of the types of events the complex will host.
Ground was broken for construction in November of 2008. See President Tony Atwater's remarks from the groundbreaking ceremony.
