With the construction cost of $7 million raised, NIU’s north end zone training facility will soon become a reality.

According to department sources, administrators plan to break ground on the Academic and Athletic Performance Center before the NIU football team’s final home game Wednesday against Western Michigan.

The 60,000-square-foot facility will include expanded coaches’ offices, a film viewing room, locker rooms, academic resource and physical training facilities, weight rooms and a 40-yard track, all of which will be used mainly by the Huskie football team.

The project, which has a planned total construction cost of $9.5 million, was announced April 22 before the annual spring football game. Now that $7 million in donor money has been committed, ticket revenues will cover the remaining costs of the facility, but administrators hope for continued donations to cover the costs of equipment, furniture and other costs not included in the $9.5 million construction cost.