Construction on UW-La Crosse student center nears completion
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) -- In 2012, a majority of UW-La Crosse students voted to have a new student center built on campus.
Construction began nearly two years ago and it's now nearing completion.
The student center's contractor estimates it will take another two months of construction work, then crews can begin furnishing the building.
The university expects it to open to students by the start of the 2017 spring semester.
"There's a buzz, people are excited," said Larry Ringgenberg, Director of University Centers at UW-La Crosse. "It's about time I think for people to want to come in."
One goal of the building is to provide enough space for student organizations to meet.
"We will have some of the largest student organization space, for most of the campuses in the UW System. We don't quite compare to the Red Gym, but we will have plenty of space for our student organizations to gather, discuss issues and hopefully improve communication between our variously involved groups," said Ringgenberg.
It also includes a nod to the geography of the Coulee Region, with columns that mimic trees, lighting that mimics sun rays, and the same kind of stone that's found in the bluffs.
"Our architects really worked very hard when they came in and asked people what's special about La Crosse, what do you like about La Crosse, and a lot of people said well it's just beautiful. We have the river, on one side of the city and we have the bluffs on this side," Ringgenberg said.
The building will also include several dining areas, a location for bank, a multipurpose room, and several fireplaces.
The existing student center will stay on campus for the next few years.
It will provide some office space as the university begins other construction projects, such as a new science building.
Reported by: weau.com
Construction began nearly two years ago and it's now nearing completion.
The student center's contractor estimates it will take another two months of construction work, then crews can begin furnishing the building.
The university expects it to open to students by the start of the 2017 spring semester.
"There's a buzz, people are excited," said Larry Ringgenberg, Director of University Centers at UW-La Crosse. "It's about time I think for people to want to come in."
One goal of the building is to provide enough space for student organizations to meet.
"We will have some of the largest student organization space, for most of the campuses in the UW System. We don't quite compare to the Red Gym, but we will have plenty of space for our student organizations to gather, discuss issues and hopefully improve communication between our variously involved groups," said Ringgenberg.
It also includes a nod to the geography of the Coulee Region, with columns that mimic trees, lighting that mimics sun rays, and the same kind of stone that's found in the bluffs.
"Our architects really worked very hard when they came in and asked people what's special about La Crosse, what do you like about La Crosse, and a lot of people said well it's just beautiful. We have the river, on one side of the city and we have the bluffs on this side," Ringgenberg said.
The building will also include several dining areas, a location for bank, a multipurpose room, and several fireplaces.
The existing student center will stay on campus for the next few years.
It will provide some office space as the university begins other construction projects, such as a new science building.
Reported by: weau.com
