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Summary of CCU's construction over the last five years

During the past five years, Coastal Carolina University has undertaken the largest building program in its history. The boom developed to accommodate a growing student population (more than 10,200, a 12.3 percent growth from 2011-2016) and to provide the facilities and equipment needed to ensure their success. There are eight active building projects in construction on campus, and altogether, CCU’s building program adds up to more than $315 million in capital-funded projects.

Current projects include:

• renovation of the Smith Science Center ($7.15 million) to complete a three-building science complex on campus;

• a new dining facility at University Place residence facility ($4.7 million);

Academic Classroom Building II ($18 million);

• a new soccer complex ($5 million);

• renovation of the Singleton Building ($9 million), the main administration building and the oldest building on campus;

• and Brooks Stadium expansion ($31.8 million).

The Science II Building ($30.5 million) officially opened with a ribbon cutting on Aug. 25 to accommodate the more than 4,000 science majors enrolled at CCU. The facility features 40 faculty offices, eight teaching labs, four 60-seat classrooms, two 45-seat classrooms, an ecology teaching lab and six small labs for ecology research. The 71,150-square-foot building completes the three-building science complex on campus. Science II houses the marine science, biology and chemistry departments, as well as the environmental sciences.

The new Student Housing Complex opened the final two of its four new residence halls in Fall 2016. The first two buildings of the $85 million residence facility that houses 650 freshmen opened a year ago; the second phase houses 624 for a total of 1,274 in the four halls. The facility marks a new direction in student living with residence halls arranged in “communities” of four suites grouped around a common social space and theme, like marine science. Common amenities include sand volleyball courts, a barbecue area, picnic seating under a covered pavilion, free laundry facilities and more. A total of 4,600 students reside in campus residence halls.

Some of the other projects completed in the last five years include:

The Lib Jackson Student Union has added more than 38,000 square feet of space to the campus and features popular amenities such as a movie theater, game room, dining options, student resource center for student organizations, a convenience market, offices of student services and more.

HTC Student Recreation and Convocation Center ($35.8 million) combines a 3,370-seat multipurpose arena and a state-of-the-art student recreation facility. It is home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the women’s volleyball team and offers a student fitness area, running path, climbing wall, offices, dining facilities, and the campus bookstore, nowoperated by Barnes & Noble.

Bryan Information Commons ($6.1 million) is a state-of-the-art, two-story addition to the existing Kimbel Library. The Bryan Information Commons provides individual computer workstations, collaborative group Mediascapes, high-tech study and presentation rooms, and areas of comfortable soft seating for reflection and study. Rooms are equipped with the technology needed to work collaboratively on group projects.

Brittain Hall ($12 million), nearly 49,000 square feet of academic offices and classroom spaces, also houses Einstein Bros. Bagels, one of the most popular campus dining venues. The building won the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Status for the design and construction of energy-efficient and high-performing buildings.

Springs Brooks Stadium –The 33,000-square-foot baseball stadium is home to the 2016 College World Champion baseball team and accommodates up to 6,000 fans. The new softball complex is right next door, rounding out the TD Sports Complex. Springs Brooks Stadiium was recently named one of the top 25 stadiums in college baseball, according to D1Baseball.com.

Chauncey goes bronze – A 7-foot bronze statue of CCU’s beloved Chanticleer mascot stands tall at the entrance of the TD Sports Complex. The statue was designed and constructed by CCU faculty and students using the university’s new bronze-casting facility.

Chauncey’s Choice, an 8,000-square-foot, $3 million facility near Williams-Brice building, gives students an alternative meal choice with specific nutritional values.

“Surf Turf” – In 2015, the grass field in Brooks Stadium was replaced with unique artificial teal turf. Benton Field is shared by the football and women’s lacrosse teams.

Many of the ongoing construction projects at CCU are being funded from proceeds of a local penny sales tax that funds education-related construction projects in Horry County Schools, Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.