If Ames voters agree to help provide funding, Iowa State’s Hilton Coliseum will undergo $5.8 million in renovations. However, some ISU students said they are indifferent about the plans.

“I’ve seen headlines, but I’ve never really read the articles about it,” said Chrissy Shelledy, junior in music education. “It’s just not something that interests me.”

The renovation plan seeks to add 1,465 seats and more restrooms and bring the building up to code with the Americans with Disabilities Act. On April 27, residents and students will vote on whether the Ames hotel-motel tax should increase from 5 to 7 percent to help pay for the renovations.

Murray Blackwelder, vice president for Business and Finance, has said ISU officials want to expand the coliseum in order to be competitive with other concert venues, bringing bigger and better shows to Ames.

He also said the building is due to be brought up to government regulations for handicapped accessibility.

“I understand the part about handicapped standards, but it seems like there are so many other things they could do for the university,” said Joel Massanti, sophomore in management information systems.

“It seems like a waste of money,” he said.

Many students said their disinterest stemmed from what they felt was the plan’s lack of concern for the student population.

“If the renovations would include plans for a court-side student section, I think this would be something students would get excited about,” said Dusty Wetzel, sophomore in sociology.

Students interviewed were split on how they will vote on April 27.

“I will vote ‘yes’ as long as I don’t have to pay for it,” Wetzel said.

Shelledy said she probably will not even vote on the issue.

“They haven’t quite sold me on it,” she said.