Chadron State College has broken ground on a new complex that will house the school's agriculture and wildlife programs.

The Rangeland Complex will sit on a hill overlooking the campus. The 39,000-square-foot center will include classrooms, labs, offices, and an indoor arena suitable for handling large animals and rodeo practice.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday. Chadron State vice president Dale Grant says the roughly $4 million dollar project is being built in two phases, with the academic building in the second. Grant hopes to see work begin by the end of the month.

The Rangeland Center was a key part of the Chadron State Foundation's "Vision 2011" fundraising campaign, which received about $2 million.