This story was originally published in The Sylva Herald on March 11 publication.
The new WCU science building Apodaca will open in the fall semester with available classrooms. Classes are expected to begin in the fall of 2021.
Curtis Monteith, an engineer for WCU’s Department of Facilities Management said that the construction of the new science building on campus is still on track to be completed by Jan. 2022.
“COVID-19 has added about 19 days to the completion schedule for the Apodaca Science Building,” said Monteith in an email.
Phase I of construction is set to be complete by Aug. 2021. This phase will mark the end of construction on the current building and mark the beginning of the demolition of the Natural Science Building.
The NSB has many maintenance issues and the “contributing factor was future growth of the University,” said Monteith in an email when discussing why there needed to be a new science building on campus.
According to Carmen Huffman, Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Science at WCU, said that it will take multiple weeks for faculty and staff to transition to the new building and that they plan to start this transition in the middle of May.
Phase II is set to be completed by Dec. 2021. This phase will allow both the demolition of the current NSB and the construction of that area. This demolition will be mechanical, like the Scott and Walker dormitories which were demolished on Sept. 16.
The Apodaca Science Building will offer more forms of learning and research opportunities. The building is designed to not only be larger than the NSB but offer more ways for students to get involved in the classroom. “We hope it will inspire collaboration and provide an interactive place for faculty and students to study and learn together,” said Huffman.
The construction of the new building on campus costs $110 million and was funded by Connect NC Bond. According to the Office of State Budget and Management, in March of 2016, NC voters voted on a $2 billion bond to reallocate funds for education, parks, agriculture, and public safety. This bond will help pay for all expenses going towards the Apodaca Science Building.
The building was named after Tom Apodaca, a member of the Republican Party of the North Carolina General Assembly. He was in office from 2003-2016.
