Partnership was the principal theme highlighted during groundbreaking ceremonies Wednesday, April 29, 2015, for the Hilton Garden Inn hotel adjacent to the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.
Michael Fiore, from Fiore Brothers Management, LLC, of Altoona, and and Mark Morath, president of Hospitality Asset Management Company (HAMCO), State College, developers of the project, stressed the strong partnership and great cooperation of IUP and the community to bring the hotel project to fruition.
IUP President Michael Driscoll commented that the hotel will help to solidify the Kovalchick Complex as a destination for visitors, as well as enhance the Wayne Avenue Corridor project and be a spark for future development.
Other speakers during the groundbreaking included Senator Don White, who noted to President Driscoll that “good things happen while you're around;” Trustee James Miller, who spoke to how the hotel will help to give the university a competitive edge for students; and Cornelius Wooten, vice president for administration and finance at IUP, who commented, “this was well worth the wait.”
Construction fencing will be installed today and Friday, May 1, 2015, with construction set to begin May 4.
The upscale, six-story hotel will include 128 guest rooms and suites, and is projected to open in summer 2016.