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Swain Science Building construction has started

On Sept. 7, construction commenced for the future Kenneth E. Swain Hall. With the site clear and construction fencing erect, the College of Science is one step closer towards rejuvenation as the building of Swain Hall is the first of three projects aimed at improving the science facilities and resources.

The 40,000-square-foot science annex, located adjacent to the R. Cathcart Smith Science Center, will feature approximately 20 laboratories and 30 to 35 faculty offices. Expected completion for Swain Hall is February 2013.
The annex is phase one of a three-part plan to provide the College of Science with enough room on campus to accommodate the growing programs.

“I am extremely excited that construction on this project is now under way,” said Michael Roberts, dean of the College of Science. “As the largest college at the University, we are beginning the process that will give us the facilities we need to educate this large cohort of students.”

The finished product will consist of a second new annex of approximately the same size as Swain Hall, and a renovation of the R. Cathcart Smith Science Center. These renovations, according to project manager Ronald Gardner, will involve a “complete general interior and mechanical systems upgrade” of the building.

The goal is to have all science instruction on the main campus and ensure classrooms and laboratories have the resources necessary to take advantage of the technological advances made in the sciences.

 “When this entire project is completed,” said Dean Roberts, “the University will have the facilities…necessary for the citizens of the 21st century. In addition, science majors will have both the lab spaces for classroom-based inquiry as well as the spaces needed for individual hands-on learning and research.”

If all goes according to plan, construction for the second annex will begin following the completion of Swain Hall and is estimated to take 16 months. Following that, renovations for Smith Science Center will begin and is expected to take another 16 months.

For now, students may need to get to campus a few minutes early to make up for the parking spaces off-limits behind Smith Science Center, and many others will continue to cross U.S. 501 to attend their marine science, psychology and sociology classes at CCU’s East Campus. Once construction is complete, however, all College of Science facilities will be conveniently located on the main campus.
 

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