INDIANAPOLIS - Five months into the renovation of the Indiana State Fair coliseum, RTV6 got a look at the progress.

"We've been working hard with the foundation and concrete work in preparation for today, which is laying our first piece of steel," said Joe Eckhart, with Hunt Construction.

Steel beams will support bowl-style double-tiered seating. The interior of the 74-year-old building is gutted, and when complete by August of next year, the improvements will also include new windows, a new scoreboard and a new sound system.

While the building's interior is demolished and rebuilt, the exterior will remain unchanged, apart from a thorough cleaning and repairing concrete joints.

The $63 million project also includes a second arena that adjoins the coliseum on its south side.

At 32,000 square feet, the arena will have seating for up to 1,000 people and a public skating rink.

It's scheduled to open in time for this year's state fair, but the real star of the project, construction managers say, is the interior of the coliseum.

"The new coliseum will have lots of light, will have a beautiful exterior and beautiful interior views," said Rich Trombley, State Fairgrounds project manager.