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Worcester, MA- Assumption College, as well as officials from the City of Worcester, announced today the proposed expansion plans for a construction project commencing with two new residence halls, seven classrooms and art studios, and additional administrative offices.
"The proposed construction is in direct response to the College's commitment to fostering an intellectual, social, and spiritual community where faculty, current in their scholarship, encourage students to ask the broadest questions at the deepest levels," said Dr. Thomas R. Plough, president of Assumption College.
Dr. Charles L. Flynn, Jr, provost of Assumption College, added that "We are not building buildings to create good programs. We are building them to support already excellent programs that are going so fast, they are placing new demands on us."
Officials from the College announced that the construction project will include the following:
o Two (2) new residence halls that will include 16 six-person
apartments, with each building accommodating about 100 students.
The 31,500 square foot buildings will each be three stories high.
Each apartment unit will include two double rooms, two single
rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and living room. There will be
one handicapped accessible apartment in each building. Both buildings
will be wired for cable and internet access throughout.
The architect and builder for this project is Cutler Associates.
Construction will begin in March, with completion scheduled for
August.
o Seven new classrooms, including art studios, which will be
added onto the backside of the Laska Gymnasium building. The project
will add an additional 11,400 square feet to our classroom facilities.
The architect for this project is Nault Architects of Worcester,
and the builder is Cutler Associates. Designs are almost complete
and construction will be completed for the Fall 2000 semester.
o Renovations for the Hagan Campus Center will include a new
rear entrance from the library side of the building, and refurbishing
to the Junction area of the Campus Center. The "Junction"
is the campus snackbar and will be redesigned to better accommodate
students/staff casual dining and social needs.
The architect is JanovskyHurley Architects of Lexington,
MA, with the builder still to be announced. Construction is expected
to be completed in late summer.
o The Office of Institutional Advancement, which includes Alumni
Relations, the Development Office and the Annual Fund, will be
moved to the current Bishop Wright Wing of the Taylor Dining Hall.
Currently student Health Services are located there.
The architect is JanovskyHurley Architects of Lexington,
MA, with the builder still to be announced. Construction is expected
to be completed early fall.
Francis P. Gurley, vice president of the College, said "Construction
of these facilities is the first phase of developing a Master
Plan that will meet our existing needs and position the College
for the growth it expects in the next few years. All of the new
buildings and renovations will fit comfortably into the learning
and community atmosphere which characterizes Assumption College."
"This is a great day not only for Assumption College, but also for the entire City of Worcester," said Worcester City Manager Thomas R. Hoover. "Worcester is well-known for its outstanding colleges and universities and Assumption College has emerged as a key partner in the City's continuing revitalization efforts. On behalf of the entire city, I extend my sincere congratulations."
"Higher education is a key economic cluster as we move
ahead with our development agenda," said Worcester Chief
Development Officer Everett R. Shaw. "The opportunities offered
at all of Worcester's institutions of higher learningeducational,
cultural, employment, community partnerships and recreationalmake
Worcester second to none in New England and the
Northeast in general. I look forward to continuing to work with
Assumption College as it continues to grow and thrive."
Plans are underway for a 60,000 square foot Science & Technology Center, which will house faculty offices, labs, and classrooms for the Natural Sciences department, as well as the College's University Transportation Center. The architectural firm of Einhorn, Yaffee & Prescott of Boston is currently in the programming and design phase for this project.
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