West Virginia University’s campus will be even healthier by 2014.
WVU broke ground earlier today (Oct. 17) on new College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and Student Health and Wellness facilities.
The facilities will cost $39.8 million and are expected to be completed in spring 2014 and open by fall 2014. Alpha Associates was hired by WVU as the architect.
“Today we are taking a big step forward in establishing an even healthier and happier campus community,” said WVU President Jim Clements. “Since coming to WVU, I have said that I want our University to be one of the best in the country – if not the very best – for health and wellness programming. I think we can say with confidence today that we are well on our way.”
Clements, CPASS Dean Dana Brooks, Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray, Assistant Vice President for WELLWVU Cathy Yura, Chancellor for Health Sciences Christopher Colenda and Student Government Association Vice President Jarred Zuccari joined many WVU students and community members at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“I’m glad that our University administrators have kept student health in mind. This is just a mile marker in our continued effort to becoming one of the top schools in the country,” Zuccari said.
The CPASS building will be 73,000 gross square feet and will be the home to three floors of space specifically for the college. It will include three large general purpose classrooms that seat 50 or more students and five other classrooms, among other features. In addition, there will be capabilities for more research via an athletic training room and lab, fitness room and computer lab.
Click below to hear the WVUToday radio spot on what's new at CPASS.
“The new CPASS building will provide a rich and rewarding learning environment that will allow us to recruit and retain world-class faculty, staff and students,” Brooks said.
The Student Health and Wellness center will be 50,800 gross square feet and will house WELLWVU offices, Acute Medicine, Student Health and the Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services. The three-story building will have 23 exam rooms, a pharmacy and a waiting area that holds more than 40 people, among other features.
“By implementing a comprehensive student wellness program, we can begin leading West Virginia to better health by helping one student at a time,” Gray said. “Our students are the future, and this building represents our commitment to their well-being.”
The facilities are separate but will sit side-by-side near the Student Recreation Center and the recreation fields on the Evansdale Campus.
CPASS offices and classrooms will move from the Coliseum to this new facility. In addition, WELLWVU offices will move from the Student Services building near the Mountainlair on the Downtown campus.
The two facilities are part of a multi-year, $250 million building plan that is remaking the Evansdale campus and providing an economic boost far beyond its borders.
For more information on the facilities and other updates on construction at WVU, visit http://construction.wvu.edu/.
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