It’s ceremonial, but also a sign of progress at a major construction site on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. EKU celebrated Monday with a ‘topping out’ ceremony.
A metal beam, signed by students, faculty, staff, and others was placed on top of Phase Two of EKU’s New Science Building. When completed in 2017, it’s expected to be the largest science facility on a university campus in Kentucky. Paul Gannoe, director of capital construction and project administration at Eastern says the addition will help with retention and recruitment of students. “It’s gonna be a great tool for both of those,” said Gannoe.
Gannoe says all funds are in place to pay for Phase Two of the project. “There was a time at which we thought some of it had gone away and about a month and a half ago we met with Frankfort, the office of the state budget director, and sort of got that re-released, so we’re fully funded for the construction and we’re working on what we can afford for the equipment,” added Gannoe.
Phase One of the $132 million New Science Building project opened in 2012. Phase Two, which will house the Departments of Biological Sciences and Geosciences, is expected to open in the fall of 2017. ?
