INDIANA, Pa.—Indiana University of Pennsylvania is searching for a developer to build a hotel near a $79 million, 5,000-seat athletic arena and convention complex that opened last year..

The Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex opened in March 2011 but a planned hotel didn't open then because the university couldn't cut a deal with a developer.

The state-owned school about 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh is accepting bids on the hotel through September.

The Indiana Gazette ( http://bit.ly/LfPdwB) reports Friday that the school will not have a stake in the hotel, but will lease a 3-acre parcel to whoever agrees to build it.

The Kovalchick center includes an athletic arena for basketball and other sports, a 650-seat auditorium, conference space and other offices.

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Information from: The Indiana Gazette, http://www.indianagazette.com