IU trustees back move to replace Assembly Hall - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Gary - Indiana University trustees say the school should build a new basketball arena rather than spend millions of dollars renovating the 35-year-old Assembly Hall.

The board, meeting in Gary yesterday, approved a resolution saying the university would go forward with replacing the building "when appropriate."

University President Adam Herbert and other administrators told the trustees that it doesn't make sense to do a full renovation of Assembly Hall, something that could cost $115 million.

An architect says a new 18,000 seat arena would cost between 130 and $160 million.

Many Hoosier basketball fans have complained for years about the sight lines at Assembly Hall, which was home to three national championship teams.

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