UHCL makes groundbreaking advancement toward new buildings

The University of Houston–Clear Lake (UHCL) performed a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Classrooms Building and the new Recreation and Wellness Center. The ceremony also signaled the start of the new Student Housing Building at UHCL as well as the Health Sciences and Classroom Building at the UHCL Pearland campus. Over 75 people gathered in front of the Student Services and Classroom Building for the occasion.

In a news release, UHCL stated that the buildings will total $103.9 million and 203,284 square feet.

“This will be the largest new facility development project in the history of UHCL,” said William Staples, president of UHCL. “These new buildings are a significant part of UHCL’s continued development as a four-year university [and] will be instrumental in UHCL’s focus on both STEM and health, which are two of the five focus areas for UHCL, which also include student success, K-12 education, and the arts.”

Students are excited for the new buildings.

“I feel that the new buildings are a great addition to the campus and the university,” said Natasha Dewar, art major. “Especially with the transition to a four-year university, the new buildings will be a draw for new students.”

“This is a good for the school to expand now that we are a four-year university,” said James Countie, communication major. “It will help attract more quality students to this institution.”

The new buildings received help from multiple lawmakers in the Houston, Pearland and Friendswood area including: Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Tx.; Rep. Dennis Paul, R-Houston; Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland; and Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood.

“They were key individuals [who] made this possible,” Staples said.

Staples presented Representative Paul and Senator Taylor with plaques for their contributions toward the new buildings.

“The joy of doing one of these jobs is participating in something [and having] it built for our citizens, for our students, our children, instead of them flying away from home,” Paul said.

Staples also presented Student Government Association (SGA) President A.J. Johnson with a plaque commending SGA for being “a very active and very connected student government.”

“These two buildings are a very big step for students, those attending high school, to look to their local community for a place to come and stay to be educated by UHCL staff and faculty,” Johnson said.

The STEM building will house facilities including a 100 tiered classroom, 48 seat active learning classroom, 30-station computer lab, 13 faculty research labs, 15 science teaching labs, 26 faculty offices and an astronomy observation deck. The STEM building is designed by FKP Architects.

The Recreation and Wellness Center will house two regulation size basketball courts, a multi-activity court, two multipurpose rooms, weight and cardio room, Olympic free-weight zone, 1/8 mile elevated indoor three lane track. On the academic wing side of the Recreation and Wellness Center, there will biomechanics lab, motor control lab, exercise physiology lab, 50-seat classroom, 40-seat classroom and faculty office suite. The Recreation and Wellness Center is designed by Smith Group.

Tellepsen Builders is managing all construction projects. Construction is expected to be completed by Fall of 2018.

Also published on Medium.