The Board of Governors at Missouri Western State University has accepted a bid from Lee Grover Construction Company of St. Joseph for an addition to Potter Hall and renovations to Wilson Hall and the Looney Complex. The bid of $750,509 was the lowest of seven submitted. The Board had previously approved using reserve funds to pay for the three projects.
The biggest project is the addition to Potter, which houses the School of Fine Arts. A new percussion space and restrooms will be constructed, and existing restrooms will be renovated into office space. The project also includes the addition of a circle drive in front of Potter.
“This project will address some of our most pressing facility needs,” said Dr. Bob Willenbrink, founding dean of the School of Fine Arts. “Our percussion students have been practicing for years in ‘temporary’ modular units, so I’m happy we can provide them with permanent space, and the new restrooms and circle drive will be much appreciated by the many people who come to Potter Hall for performances and exhibits.”
The Wilson Hall project includes the renovation of restrooms on the first and second floor, repairs and upgrades to the HVAC system, and repairs to the exterior masonry and southeastern entrance. Wilson Hall houses the academic departments of Criminal Justice, Legal Studies and Social Work; Engineering Technology; and Military Science, as well as the Law Enforcement Academy, Campus Printing and Design Services and Y’s Kids World.
In the Looney Complex, the baseball locker room and men’s and women’s visitor locker rooms will be remodeled. Looney houses Recreation Services, Griffon Athletics and the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.