KALAMAZOO, MI –– Kate Achter was adamant that the new $515 million Kalamazoo Event Center was a “point of pride” for Western Michigan University.

“No one in the country is getting this experience,” she said.

WMU’s women’s basketball coach was one of several proud WMU athletics staff that celebrated and spoke glowingly about the future home of several Bronco athletic programs at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new downtown facility.

MORE: ‘A once-in-100-year opportunity’: Ground broken on $515M Kalamazoo Event Center

MORE: Developers see Kalamazoo Event Center as ‘amplifier’ for future downtown development

“It’s going to change the way we compete for championships,” said Achter, set to begin her first year as WMU’s women’s hoops coach this winter. “But this will not only

See Full Page