Published: Feb 1, 2010
The
University of Tampa has announced it will construct two new buildings
on campus – an academic building and a Student Health Center – that will
be completed by the next academic year.
Both structures will be
two stories and will be designed to be consistent with the look and
style of other campus buildings. Plus, the University will be pursuing
the U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) certification for both.
Construction for both buildings is set to begin in early February.
STUDENT HEALTH CENTER
The
Student Health Center, which will replace the current facility, will
total approximately 10,300 square feet and will include a waiting area,
eight exam rooms, a triage space, pharmacy, staff offices, holding
rooms, counseling offices and a group counseling room. The project is
being supported in part by a generous gift from Dr. Stephen and Marsha
Dickey, and is expected to be completed in September 2010.
The
current structure, located at North Brevard Avenue and North A Street on
campus, will be demolished to allow for the construction of the new
building, which will include landscaping. During the demolition and
construction phase, UT will place a modular health facility on the
University’s newly acquired property on Kennedy Boulevard. This
temporary facility will be removed when the new health center opens in
the fall.
“We’re committed to provide top-level support for the
wellness of all of our students, and this new facility will greatly
help,” Bob Ruday, dean of students, said. “The new facility will allow
our staff to provide health services more efficiently and effectively
and will enhance students’ overall experience at UT. We’ll be able to
see more patients, and they’ll have more privacy.”
When the
current Student Health Center building was acquired by the university in
1997, UT had approximately 2,800 students. Today, UT consists of 6,300
students. As such, demand for services at the Student Health Center is
increasing. In an average month during the school year, the health
center staff sees more than 1,000 patients for health and counseling
services. Last semester the staff delivered nearly 1,000 flu shots
alone.
The architect and contractor for the project is the Beck Group.
ACADEMIC BUILDING
The
new academic building announced today is phase one of a broader plan to
expand academic facilities, according to President Ronald L. Vaughn.
“This
new facility will enhance the University of Tampa’s strong presence in
biology and chemistry and certain pre-professional programs, and will
serve as the foundation for future possible construction,” Vaughn said.
The
new academic building will be located on open ground on the north end
of campus, near the Cass Building. The facility, which is expected to be
completed in August 2010, will include approximately 8,000 square feet
and will feature several distinct, state-of-the-art spaces: an organic
chemistry laboratory, a chemistry research laboratory and offices on the
second floor; a biology research laboratory on the first floor; and,
faculty offices and a 35-seat general use classroom also on the first
floor. The classroom will also be built with infrastructure to support
future conversion to a 20-station instructional lab.
Janet
McNew, UT provost, said this addition to the Cass science complex will
add permanent, high-quality laboratory, classroom and research space to
the UT campus.
“All are needed for our fast-growing programs in the College of Natural and Health Sciences,” McNew said.
The architect for the academic building is Harvard Jolly Architecture, and the construction manager is Crossroads Construction.
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