(KLZA)-- During last weeks Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise annual banquet, Peru State College President Dr. Michael Evans was the guest speaker.

Dr. Evans has been on the job at Peru State for about a year-and-a-half.

Currently, a fundraising effort is underway to pay for the construction of “Project ROAR” which includes five new buildings on the Peru State campus with a price tag of $14.6 million.

Dr. Evans said the fundraising is going well. With more than $8 million from the state and $2.4 million that has been set aside by the college for this project, it leaves about $4 million to be raised with nearly $2 million raised so far.

The project will include three domed structures near the baseball and softball fields and two large domed structures near the Oak Bowl, including one 81,000 square foot building.

Dr. Evans is hoping to break ground in April.

Once the buildings are completed and open, they will be available for public use by community organizations, individuals throughout Southeast Nebraska.

The new buildings will be the first on the Peru State campus in more than 40 years. While a number of buildings on the Peru State Campus have been renovated over the year, the last new construction was the Al Wheeler Activity Center in 1980.

Project ROAR is based on the idea of supporting students’ physical and mental health and well-being. Project ROAR will more than double the amount of indoor recreational and athletic space on campus.

If you are interested in giving a tax-deductible donation, please call the Peru State College Foundation office, 402-872-2304 or email Ted Harshbarger at tharshbarger@peru.edu.