USU Eastern hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new central instruction building (CIB) on Friday evening. The event featured an open house with speeches before the ground was broken at the construction site.
During the open house, school administrators, politicians, USU Eastern staff and members of the community discussed the new building. Chancellor Joe Peterson, Senator David Hinkins and Utah State University President Stan Albrecht shared a few words about the positive impact the building will bring to the school and the community.
The CIB will be located between the G.J. Reeves building and the Geary Theatre. The $20 million building will span 54,000 square feet and will house classes for music, theater, art, communication and criminal justice.
Construction on the CIB will take place over the course of the next year.
“Our architectural planning is complete and we have hired a general contractor and construction manager,” Peterson explained in a press release earlier this year. “During the summer, we will start seeing utilities work and construction staging, and during July, we will see foundations poured.”
However, this is not just a building for USU Eastern. According to Peterson, is an affirmation of the college’s commitment to turning potential into success.
“This new building will be iconic, a venue of pride for students, faculty and the community,” he said. “It is a significant enhancement to our ability to fulfill our mission.”
In addition to the CIB project, the Geary Theatre will also be getting a makeover. Structural improvements will make the theatre seismically stable. Also, the theatre will be expanded. This work will be the beginning of a complete revitalization for the 50-year-old theatre.
Geary Theatre improvements will add $1 million to the project. The money will come from private funding, which is still in demand. To make a donations, visit www.usueastern.edu/gearytheatrechallenge or mail contributions to USU Easten Institutional Advancement Office, 451 E. 400 N. Price, UT 84501.
