WHAT: University and campus leaders will join with representatives from JE Dunn Construction, Ent Credit Union and other community leaders to celebrate a final piece of structural steel being lifted into place for the $70 million Ent Center for the Arts now under construction on North Nevada Avenue.
WHEN: 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 4.
WHERE: Ent Center for the Arts construction site, 5225 N. Nevada Avenue. A stage will be set on the south side of the building. Entrance will be from parking lot 576. A limited number of spots will be reserved for media members. Please see http://www.uccs.edu/map for details. The Ent Center for the Arts is abbreviated ECFA and is on the north campus.
WHO: CU Regent Kyle Hybl, CU Regent Steve Ludwig, UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak and Sally Hybl, a leading community fundraiser, will speak. Susan Szpyrka, senior vice chancellor, Administration and Finance will serve as emcee.
WHY: Topping off ceremonies are a tradition that dates to 700 A.D. Scandinavia. In modern times, those involved in construction sign their names to a beam to symbolize teamwork, high-quality craftsmanship and future good luck.
HOW: UCCS faculty, staff and students signed the beam that will be hoisted into place by a large crane at the site. As the crane is hoisted, an opera singer will deliver an aria in recognition of the building’s intended use.
SPECIAL NOTE: This is an active construction site and with the weekend snows, will be muddy. Those who attended are encouraged to wear boots or other suitable foot ware. The event will take place regardless of weather.
UCCS Ent Center for the Arts Fact Sheet
Size: 92,000 square feet
Architect: H3 Hardy Collaborative Architecture, New York, with Semple Brown Design, Denver, as architect of record
General Contractors:
Building: JE Dunn Construction, Colorado Springs
Site: Bryan Construction, Colorado Springs
Cost: $70 million
Funds source: Gifts, appropriations from the State of Colorado, and a marketing agreement with Ent Credit Union.
Features:
235-seat Chapman Foundations Recital Hall
750-seat performance space
Marie Walsh Sharpe Gallery of Contemporary Art
Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater
Osborne Studio Theater
UCCS Music Program space
Gallery of Contemporary Art Education Studio
Timeline:
Spring 2015, site work begins
August 2015, groundbreaking
May 2016, topping off
January 2018, completion/opening