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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I thought this building was going to be called the Regional Development Center and Sports Complex. Why is there a new name?

Q: Did the university purchase the land where the KCAC will be located?

Q: I've heard that the university needs to raise $20 million in "matching funds" for the KCAC. What does the term "matching funds" mean?

Q: Is this facility really going to be open to the community? What kind of events will be offered at the KCAC?

Q: I'd like to know more about the KCAC. Whom should I contact?

 

Q: I thought this building was going to be called the Regional Development Center and Sports Complex. Why is there a new name?

A: Originally, during the planning and discussion phase, the facility was being called the Regional Development Center and Sports Complex. IUP President Dr. Tony Atwater formed a special community-University Commission in July 2006 to provide broad overall direction for the facility. The first meeting of the Commission was designed to gather input from the group, including suggestions for additional membership and refinement of the facility name. The group agreed to the name change in order to emphasize the IRCC’s role as a resource for both the University and Indiana region. With the announcement of the Kovalchick family pledge for construction of the facility in February, 2007, the building was renamed The Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex in the Kovalchick family's honor by the IUP Council of Trustees on March 9, 2007.

Q: Did the university purchase the land where the KCAC will be located?

A: No. The land purchase was made by a coalition of community leadership groups and the land is owned by the Commonwealth's Department of General Services so it is available for use by IUP. In 2002, IUP and the community, led by attorney Mike Delaney, the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce and Welcome to Indiana made a decision to pursue the purchase of 33 acres owned by the Kovalchick Salvage Company along Wayne Avenue as the site for the complex. In February 2003, Senator Don White met with Governor Edward G. Rendell to secure additional state funds toward the property acquisition. Three months later, the Governor traveled to Indiana to announce a $5 million commitment of state funding for property acquisition. The local leaders immediately went to work raising the additional $5 million necessary to complete the $10 million acquisition. Commitments from the ICDC ($1 million), Indiana Borough and White Township ($500,000 each), the Indiana County Board of Commissioners ($1.4 million), additional state funding ($1 million), and Federal money ($600,000) provided the matching funds.

Q: I've heard that the university needs to raise $20 million in "matching funds" for the KCAC. What does the term "matching funds" mean?

A: In 2000, then Governor Thomas Ridge pledged $20 from the Commonwealth for this facility upon the condition that the University raises $20 in funding from private individuals, businesses, corporations, foundation and or federal sources. "Matching funds" simply means that IUP will "match" the $20 million from the Commonwealth by raising $20 million for construction of the KCAC.

Q: Is this facility really going to be open to the community? What kind of events will be offered at the KCAC?

A: Absolutely. While the building will be owned and managed by the University, the KCAC will be open to the community. Events to be offered may include -- but are not limited to -- regional sporting competitions at the elementary or high school level; trade shows and expositions for area businesses; conferences; concerts of all types; large lectures and panel discussions; and many other types of community events.

Q: I'd like to know more about the KCAC. Whom should I contact?

A: Please feel free to contact Michelle Fryling, IUP's director of Media Relations, at 724-357-2302, or via email at mfryling@iup.edu. She will be happy to answer your questions or direct you to a more appropriate office.