WINONA LAKE - One day after the dedication of Grace College's Orthopaedic Capital Center, the first sporting event will be held tonight at the facility.
The women's volleyball team takes on Taylor University at 7 p.m.
A dedication ceremony for Grace College's Orthopaedic Capital Center was held Wednesday. The center, 610 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, was completed in May.
Grace College's May graduation was the first event to be held in the center.
Dr. Ronald Manahan, Grace College president, spoke during the ceremony Wednesday.
"The completion of this center makes it clear that something good can come of businesses and community members working together," Manahan said.
He said the college is honored to work with local orthopaedic companies to offer the center for community and business uses.
A video on the center's history played on overhead screens in the auditorium. Grace College Chaplain James Joiner said a prayer of dedication.
The cost of the project was $9.1 million, and the college received $3.5 million from Biomet Orthopaedics Inc., DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. and Zimmer Holdings Inc. Paragon Medical Inc. and Symmetry Medical Inc. also provided donations.
Kosciusko County residents donated more than 90 percent for the project, said John Boal, Grace College chief advancement officer.
The center will house the college's business department.
It also has an athletic arena that can hold 2,200 fans, an auditorium that accommodates 2,800 people for chapels and graduations, and a 2,500-seat event center for concerts, seminars and theater performances.
The center has a video conference room that holds classes and events. The largest classroom in the building is equipped with state of the art technology, including flat screen televisions, wireless Internet and satellite access. Distance learning, video conferences and online training will be offered.
Design Collaborative, Fort Wayne, was the architect for the project, and Wygand, Fort Wayne, was the general contractor.
The project is part of Grace College's capital campaign: "Invest in Leadership: Impact The Future."
There are also other amenities the center.
The basketball court in the exhibition center has been named Kessler Court after head men's basketball coach Jim Kessler.
Locker rooms are adjacent to the court for the men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams.
The men's section has a locker room, bathroom and a team meeting room, which also is used by the women. There is a green room for plays or concerts.
The college's athletic offices are on the upper level. Also upstairs are the alumni suites, concession stand and public restrooms.
In the hallway is an area where DePuy, Zimmer, Biomet, Paragon and Symmetry have display cases, which tell the stories of their companies and products and the history of the orthopaedic industry.
The lower level is where the college's academic business department has its offices.
The gym converts into a concert venue with a movable stage area and an intimate theatre and chapel area, which holds about 900 in a U-shaped seating area.
A stage also has two movable sections that extend about halfway across the floor where another backdrop can be lowered.
Moveable projection screens are available. A catering kitchen with access for catering trucks is on the lower level. Up to 1,000 people can be seated on the main floor at tables.
