The Colorado State University Board of Governors recently approved a $124.5-million bond package that includes upgrades to classroom and learning facilities for students in agriculture; a new, state-of-the-art undergraduate housing facility that will accommodate more than 600 students; and renovation of the 50-year-old Lory Student Center.
Students have voted to increase their fees to pay for the majority of the Lory Student Center renovation, and students who live in the new housing development will pay for that facility.
The bond package includes:
• $7.5 million for a partial renovation of the Animal Sciences Building to prepare it for future expansion and facility enhancement;
• $60 million for the student center renovation; and
• $57 million for the new housing development and renovation of the existing Durrell Center.
Bonds are expected to be issued in the spring. Design work is just beginning, but construction on the housing and Animal Science projects is expected to start immediately after graduation in May, said Amy Parsons, vice president for University Operations. Construction will begin on the Lory Student Center renovation in May 2013.
“These will be state-of-the-art facilities that will enhance the college experience for future students as well as improve our campus community for everyone,” Parsons said.
Renovations to the 60-year-old Animal Sciences facility will support the needs of more than 800 students majoring in one of CSU’s signature academic programs. The Animal Sciences department offers a competitive, science-based education that prepares forward-thinking leaders for the nation’s livestock industries. The building houses the meats laboratory, which is central to the university’s international expertise in meat safety and quality.
The planned $19.5-million renovation is one of the first steps in upgrading some of CSU’s agricultural education facilities and will include the $7.5-million bond issue to replace the plumbing, mechanical, electrical and telecommunications systems in the 41,558-sq-ft building and install modern audio-visual systems in the renovated teaching laboratories and classrooms. The College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking private funding to build two additions, including a 170-seat auditorium.
