What appeared to once be a pipe dream may turn into a reality quicker than expected for Purdue University and its College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Centaur Regional Equine Diagnostic and Surgical Center is moving one step closer to becoming a reality.
Original plans called for a 23,000-square foot hospital and construction was to have begun in 2012 but financial woes and a weak economy slowed progress of the $12 million regional equine diagnostic and surgical center that was to have been located in northern Shelby County.
The new center, which will be located just a few miles from Indiana Grand Racing & Casino’s horse track, will be part of the Purdue Equine Sports Medicine Center based on the West Lafayette campus and will offer advanced diagnostic imaging, shockwave therapy, endoscopy and specialized equine surgery.
“The center will house the most technologically advanced medical equipment to support diagnosis and treatment of equine patients, provide educational opportunities for veterinary students and also enhance and expand our equine sports medicine research capacity,” said Dr. Willie M. Reed, dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine.
Reed told The Shelbyville News recently that “about 80 percent of the funds needed to complete the project” have been raised. He said Purdue continues to make progress and meetings have been held with the architect to review design plans, which have had some changes, according to Reed.
“I have a new director of advancement, who is developing a new fundraising plan to get us to the finish line. We are pleased with the progress. We made some changes but nothing that impacts the vision of the program,” Reed said.
Some of the funds have come from Centaur Gaming, which provided $2.7 million to build the Centaur Regional Equine Diagnostic and Surgical Center.
Rod Ratcliff, Centaur Gaming CEO, said Centaur’s gift represents not only Centaur’s dedication to Shelby County, but to the entire horse racing industry.
“Centaur Gaming, along with our partners in the horse racing industry, are encouraged to see the same Purdue University excellence and high standards known throughout the nation take root in a new, local facility dedicated to the best in equine care,” Ratcliff said.
The City of Shelbyville and Shelby County have previously agreed to contribute $2.3 million to the center.
The creation of a world-class regional equine diagnostic and surgical center is the result of an idea promoted for approximately six years by former State Sen. Robert Jackman, of Milroy, Reed, and a group of city and county officials.
Plans call for the center to built on a 71-acre parcel of land fronting I-74 at Old Michigan and Bassett roads.
Reed said the local government was one reason why Purdue chose to build the center in Shelbyville.
“The local government was and has been easy to work with. There is a lot of development centered around agriculture and the equine industry. It was just a natural fit for us,” Reed said.