WATERLOO --- East High School athletic boosters are more than halfway to their fundraising goal for an indoor training facility, which they hope to have built by next spring.

Trojans-N-Training --- or TNT --- will be a 110-foot by 90-foot heated building northwest of the school along Lime Street. Organizers have received grants of $100,000 from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association and $20,000 from the Guernsey Foundation. With the help of volunteer and donated services, they hope to build the facility for $200,000.

East High teacher and parent Tammy Kinnetz said the group has raised enough to construct the building's shell and is hoping to break ground this fall. Remaining work, such as installing electricity and laying a concrete slab, will be completed as funds are raised. Jim Christensen of TurnKey Associates is working with the group on the project.

Kinnetz said holding the ground breaking this fall will show supporters "we are serious and that this is going to happen." The goal is to raise the remaining funds in the coming months and complete the building by spring.

Organizers have raised another $2,300 by selling concessions and T-shirts, but $1,500 of that money was needed to establish the non-profit Trojans-N-Training Foundation. The foundation makes it easier to accept grants and continue raising money for future projects.

A Nov. 14 roast beef dinner and auction fund-raiser will be held from 5 p.m. to midnight at Lofty's in Evansdale. Vocalist Bill Quibell and DJ Todd Weidman will provide entertainment.

The event will include a raffle and both silent and live auctions, conducted by Don Shepard of Cornbelt Auctions.

Among the auction items will be a football signed by Kurt Ferentz donated by Mac McCausland, a Roth Jewelers clock, an overnight stay in a suite at University Inn, a commemorative mirror from the 1961 East High state champion wrestling team donated by Dave Johnson, a Harley Davidson bracelet, an ISC leather jacket, a flag pole and flag from Miller Flag & Fence, and a free treatment at Jill Hartzell Chiropractic. In addition, gift certificates will be auctioned off from Steamboat Gardens, Mama Nick's Circle Pizzeria, Sarah's Hair Styling, El Senor Tequila, China King, The Other Place, Lasting Image, Consignments & More, and Digital Dog Pound.

Kinnetz said the facility will help with East's inadequate gym space, allowing for off-season indoor training. East coaches could also use it to run camps for elementary and middle school students.

In addition, it could be used for other school activities. "We're looking for it for the (marching) band, when they're out in the rain," Kinnetz said, for example.

Wrestling coach Willie Gadson said the availability of a multi-purpose building of this size will be good for his athletes as well as other sports and activities at the school.

"It's unbelievable what you can do with that space," he said, noting the possibility of holding wrestling tournaments there. "I would like to see that baby up and done."