BISMARCK, ND. (KFGO AM) -- An NDSU project 10 years in the making is finally 100% certain.
The legislature's budget section has approved the massive renovation of Bison Sports Arena, which will be called Sanford Health Athletic Complex.
The approval was necessary because the cost of $41 million, far exceeded the earlier approved $35.4 million.
The new building will include, among other things, a two-court basketball training facility with 5,700 seats called the Scheels Center.
Athletic Director Gene Taylor says the need has arisen because the facility, built in 1971, is pretty outdated.
Coaches say the facility will not only help keep morale high at NDSU but will also make the school more appealing to potential recruits.
NDSU has received large donations from Sanford, Scheels, and Stop-N-Go for the renovation.
Construction could take anywhere from two to three years once bids are approved.