Bob Bedell, president of the Indianapolis Convention &Visitors Association, says that an expanded convention centershould help bring more major events and gatherings to Indianapolis."This expansion affords our largest customers growth opportunitiesand gives Indianapolis the ability to host larger conventions andtwo major conventions simultaneously," Bedell says in a statement."This moves Indianapolis into the 'big leagues,' making uscompetitive with the largest convention cities and giving us anadvantage over most American cities."

Slated for completion in 2010, the convention center expansionproject – along with the new Lucas Oil Stadium – will grow theamount of exhibition, meeting room, ballroom and pre-function spaceoperated by the Capital Improvement Board from about 725,000 squarefeet to more than 1.2 million square feet. Plans also call foradding an enclosed walkway between the convention center and thestadium.

Ratio Architects, the lead architect for the project, is beingassisted by BSA LifeStructures, Blackburn Architects and DomainArchitects. Shiel Sexton Co. Inc. is the construction manager, inassociation with Powers & Sons Construction Co. Inc. theIndiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority is directing theexpansion of the 34-year-old convention center.