Saluki Way Groundbreaking

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[An ambitious construction project at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is officially under way. Officials broke ground Tuesday for the start of the $83 million project dubbed "Saluki Way." The first phase includes a new football stadium and renovating the basketball arena. Future projects include building a student services building and repairing several campus buildings. Pictured from left during the afternoon's ceremonies are Lisa Short, Saluki Way steering committee member; Erica Smith, student athlete advisory committee member; Mario Moccia, athletic director; Roger Tedrick, chairman of the SIU Board of Trustees; Samuel Goldman, SIU chancellor; Glenn Poshard, SIU president; and Brad Cole, mayor of the City of Carbondale. University President Glenn Poshard defended the construction spending at a time when the university and state finances are tight. He notes the university managed to save millions of dollars in the first round of bidding because the sagging economy has driven down construction costs. An anonymous $2 million donation announced Tuesday brings the project's fundraising total to about $70 million.