Reemsnyder Research Center to be finished by fall
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Construction on West Virginia Wesleyan College's $8.2 million David E. Reemsnyder Research Center is expected to conclude this fall. The 23,000 gross square feet facility will be connected to the college's Christopher Hall of Science and will serve the biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, physics/engineering and psychology programs.
"The construction crews are beginning to install windows and close in the building so that the air conditioning system can operate," said Dr. Barry Pritts, vice president for financial affairs. "This is an important step in that it will allow us to control both temperature and humidity and protect the wooden lab casework and cabinetry that will be installed very soon.
"Internally, all electrical, plumbing and cabling systems are in place and internal walls have been constructed," he said. "Crews are now beginning to paint and they will soon install the elevator." Arctecon of Wexford, Pa., is the architectural firm for the project and Construction Management Innovation, Inc. (CMI) of Pittsburgh is building the new facility.
Roof and exterior walls are nearly complete on the center, which is named for the late David E. Reemsnyder, class of 1930 and 1972 honorary degree recipient, who taught junior high science and mathematics before enjoying a distinguished career as a coach, faculty member and administrator at Wesleyan. According to officials, Reemsnyder had a profound impact as a young teacher on U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, who in turn secured over $6 million in federal grants for the project.
When opened, the Reemsnyder Research Center will house classrooms, teaching laboratories, research labs to promote student-faculty research, a tissue culture facility, and instrumentation labs to support teaching and research. College officials say more than $1.5 million in funding is required to complete the construction and to provide funds for major pieces of equipment and furnishings.
"We are eager to open this new facility," Pritts said. "There has been a great deal of dialogue throughout the project between the contractors and our science faculty. This center will allow us to provide our students and faculty with one of the best undergraduate science research facilities in West Virginia and surrounding states."
The Reemsnyder Research Center is one of two major construction projects currently under way at Wesleyan. Fleming Hall, a residence hall for both new and returning students, is expected to re-open in August. That facility, which is undergoing a $5 million facelift, will feature suite-style living arrangements with private baths along with central heating and air conditioning. In April, Wesleyan also opened the $7.2 million Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.
