SUU Breaks Ground on New Academic Classroom Building
Published: June 25, 2021 | Author: Kenzie Lundberg | Read Time: 2 minutes
Southern Utah University broke ground Friday, June 25, for a new academic classroom building. The ceremony officially starts construction of the $45 million project. Once completed, the 90,000 square foot building will add 14 new classrooms, seven computer labs, eight teaching studios, and numerous faculty offices to the University.
“We thank the Utah Legislature and Utah Board of Higher Education for their commitment to SUU. Without them, this new building wouldn’t be possible,” said SUU President Scott L Wyatt. “This is an exciting day for our University. This new building symbolizes the unprecedented growth we’ve achieved these past seven years and marks a pivotal time in the history of SUU.”
Spearheaded by a southern Utah legislative delegation, Senator Evan Vickers, Senator Don Ipson, and Representative Rex Shipp, the building was approved and funded by the Utah Legislature in March 2021.
“When this project was proposed, SUU accepted the challenge to find a more fiscally responsible way to build higher ed buildings,” said Senator Ipson. “On behalf of the legislature, I'm pleased and proud of the way this project has progressed through design resulting in a bid that has come in under budget.”
“It is exciting to see our campus grow with such high quality buildings. This construction process will act as an example for how other projects can be completed more efficiently and at a lower cost,” said Senator Vickers. “I certainly appreciate everyone who participated in this project. A special thanks to Senator Don Ipson for his leadership representing the legislature in this process."
Located just south of the America First Event Center, on the corner of 200 South and 800 West, the Academic Classroom Building will house the Art and Design Department, the History, Sociology, and Anthropology Department, the Mathematics Department, portions of the Aviation Department, and faculty and staff members from other academic areas. The building will also provide space for new University programs, including the film studios, digital lab, and recording studio for the new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Filmmaking.
The design of the 90,000 square foot building maximizes square footage efficiency and preserves much of the current multipurpose quad. Parking for the building will be in a new lot across the street and in the stadium parking lot to the west.
Layton Construction of Utah was selected as the general contractor following a competitive bidding process. Those that would like to watch the progress of construction, can view the live stream of the Multipurpose Quad.
The new Academic Classroom Building is set to be complete and ready for classes by spring semester of 2023.
Tags: Campus