From Warren Wilson College:
Groundbreaking set for new Warren Wilson College academic facility
Last instructional building erected in 1999Asheville, NC – April 12, 2017 – For the first time in 18 years, Warren Wilson College is beginning construction on a new academic building. Located next to the Center for Community Engagement, the new instructional facility costs $6 million and opens in 2018. Groundbreaking is Saturday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m.
“As we continue to strengthen and enhance the academic culture of the College and our focus on excellence, the new academic building is central to our vision,” says Bill Christy, a 1979 alumnus and chairman of the College Board of Trustees. “It is part of a comprehensive strategic plan to provide facilities and opportunities for engaged learning that fully prepare our students and graduates for the future.”
Like Carson Hall, which was demolished in 2011, the new building will overlook the farm and gardens from its foundation next to the Spidel Memorial Building. The structure will feature six meeting spaces—ranging from 15-person seminar rooms to a 40-person flex classroom—and 19 faculty offices. The facility will cover 15,000 square feet and be built to LEED Gold standards.
“Beyond representing a significant investment in the future of academics at Warren Wilson College, the building also symbolizes the strong support of our community and its belief in the mission and values of the College,” says Warren Wilson College President Steve Solnick.
More than 160 people and 13 foundations came together to raise $4 million for the new building. The College already had the rest on hand for previously designated capital expenditures. No new borrowing was required.
“This project has been a long time in the making. We believe that this project will highlight the commitment of the Board to facility renewal projects, and this building will create inspired flexible learning and meeting spaces for our students and faculty so as to meet our current and future needs,” Christy notes.
The building is the latest in a 15-monthlong facility improvement project on the campus. New geothermal wells, HVAC chillers and roofs have been installed in and around various buildings. Additionally, new smart classroom technology and dormitory lounge furniture are in place along with new seats, acoustic panels and a high-definition projector in Kittredge Community Arts Center. More enhancements, including a remodeled blacksmith shop and a solar structure for the campus pool, should be finished by the end of 2017.
The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public. For more information about the new academic building, visit warren-wilson.edu/news/.
School is running out of money and enrollment is 500. The school is falling apart due to management neglect. New $5m building?
Every person in the administration should be fired. The board should resign. Anyone and everyone who thought this was a good idea should be ashamed of themselves and need to let totally new people come in and try to save the Titanic. When this is said and done and the truth comes out, I hope Christy steps down.