A June 29 ceremony at the site of the forthcoming University of Iowa Hancher Auditorium paid tribute to three workers who lost their lives during construction of the original facility. The event also dedicated the new building site to safety.

Hancher fans and friends joined employees of Mortensen Construction and primary contractors for a performance by San Jose Taiko, a drumming and rhythm group that led a short march from the old site to the new. Hancher favorite Rinde Eckert recited work written for the event.

Jack T. Hain, Glen A. Heeren, and Oscar Tappan, Jr., died in a 1970 accident while helping to build the original auditorium. Hancher director Chuck Swanson wanted to be sure that work on the new building honors their memory.

The new Hancher is expected to open by the end of 2016, replacing a facility destroyed by flooding in 2008.