Construction on the lobby of the Onstead Science Center will be completed before the end of the semester.
Kevin Roberts, vice president of Operations, said he thinks it will be fully open by the time students come back after Thanksgiving break. The Quad, the area in front of Onstead, was dedicated last week and is open to students.
Roberts, who facilitates with contractors, said the last tasks that need to be taken care of are part of a “Punch List.” These are small details, like installing outlet covers, which need to be taken care of before moving in furniture.
“We’re excited,” Roberts said. “It’s shaping up to be a beautiful part of campus.”
The contractor for the project is Hoar Construction, which also did the Royce and Pam Money Wellness and Recreation Center and will do the football stadium in the future.
Roberts said the Halbert-Walling Research Center is the next building project on campus. The center will be built where Chambers Hall used to stand and Roberts expects the project to take one year. After that, all labs will move into the research center so construction on the interior of Onstead can begin.
“What it provides is 21st century buildings to match what already is a high-quality education,” Roberts said.
Roberts said for prospective and current students, this is a state-of-the-art facility that is beautiful to look at. For alumni, Roberts said this enhances their degrees by raising the value of an ACU education.
Rachel Lowe, a sophomore biology pre-med major from Crowley, said the new building makes the science program at ACU look better.
Lowe had her last General Biology I class in Walling Lecture Hall before it was torn down. She said she has gotten used to finding her classes from the back door since the spring semester of last year when the construction began. She said she’s looking forward to seeing the new building when it’s completed.
“It reminds me of schools I visited with renowned science programs,” Lowe said. “Now the building reflects the quality of the program.”
Lowe said she plans to be a pediatrician for Doctors Without Borders.
