Earlier this year, Purdue University officials, including Dr. Willie M. Reed, dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, said he was beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel in bringing a $12 million regional equine diagnostic and surgical center to northern Shelby County.
Helping equine center move forward
A new $10 million center will house the most technologically advanced medical equipment for diagnosis and treatment of equine patients, provide educational opportunities for veterinary students, and also enhance and expand equine sports medicine research.
The light at the end of the tunnel just got a little brighter, as Centaur Gaming is now providing $2.7 million to build the Centaur Regional Equine Diagnostic and Surgical Center.
"The $10 million 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 Reed.
The new center, which will be located just a few miles from the Indiana Grand Racing & Casino's track in Shelbyville, will be part of the Purdue Equine Sports Medicine program based on the West Lafayette campus. It will offer advanced diagnostic imaging, shockwave therapy, endoscopy and specialized equine surgery in a one-story, 18,000-square-foot center.
"Centaur Gaming's gift toward the completion of the Centaur Regional Equine Diagnostic and Surgical Center represents not only our dedication to the Shelby County community, but the entire Indiana horse racing industry as well," said Rod Ratcliff, Centaur Gaming chairman and CEO. "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."
Shelbyville and Shelby County previously agreed to contribute a total of $2.3 million to the center.
"Shelbyville and Shelby County are excited that this gift from Centaur Gaming to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will energize the equine hospital project," said Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun.
"This facility will have a significant positive impact on the community and will create a host of other opportunities that will complement its growth and development. As a result of the successful collaboration of public and private partnerships between the City of Shelbyville, Shelby County, Centaur Gaming and Purdue University, the equine facility will become a reality."
The creation of a world-class regional equine diagnostic and surgical center is an idea promoted for approximately five years by former State Sen. Robert Jackman of Milroy, Reed and a group of city and county officials. The project would involve a unique partnership between the city, county, Purdue, local veterinarians and the local and state horse racing industry.