BLOMINGTON, Ind. – Two new construction projects that will change the landscape of IU’s Bloomington campus were approved Friday.
The campus will welcome a new indoor arena for the university’s volleyball and wrestling teams. The new building will move the teams from Technology Park to the school’s athletic campus near Crook Hall.
The arena is set to seat 2,500 to 3,000 people, which campus officials hope will produce a fan-and-family-friendly environment.
"Consistent with the university's master plan, the indoor arena will bring volleyball and wrestling back to the athletics campus, support year-round training for all of our students, and improve campus life with increased fan accessibility for volleyball and wrestling matches,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass.
The construction project will also involve renovating and relocating the Metz Carillon to the center of campus. Once the renovation is complete, the tower will be equipped with four new bells.
Being built in 1970, the tower contains 61 bells, which allow for a five-octave performance range. However, the carillon has been rarely used since comfortable seating isn’t available.
IU officials hope that by moving the tower to the center of campus, larger audiences will be able to enjoy concerts and recitals.
"While the Metz Carillon has a commanding presence and proud history, it is an often overlooked and underappreciated treasure on our IU Bloomington campus, primarily because it is only rarely played," said IU Jacobs School of Music Dean Gwyn Richards. "The decision to move and restore this majestic instrument as part of IU's bicentennial celebration will ensure the revival of what has long been one of this campus's most beautiful and inspiring musical traditions, while providing students, faculty, staff and distinguished guests of the Jacobs School of Music an opportunity to experience the carillon in all of its grandness and amazing sound."
