Construction Delayed For Student Life, Learning Center On Wilburton Campus
(Press Release 08-13-07)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Biding cost over-runs have delayed the construction of the Student Life and Learning Center at Eastern Oklahoma State College the Wilburton college president told returning faculty during the fall conference held Thursday (8-9-07).

"We've had to return to the architectural drawing boards," Dr. Stephen Smith told returning faculty and staff during introductory remarks.

Expectations were that the campus would be involved in major construction when students and faculty returned for classes this week. Fall classes began at the college Tuesday.

"The cost of steel, concrete and time delays have simply required that we cut some cost from the original design," he said.

"We don't intend to reduce the total square footage of the building, but we will have to remove some of the curves in steel structure and other things to bring the building back into the original cost range."

Rudy O'Donley, physical plant director, who is over-seeing the project said that new plans are being drawn for the modified building. He said new bids for the project should be out the first of September.

"Several things should help us bring the cost in line," he said. "We plan to allow a 12 month construction schedule on the building rather than the 10 month original schedule.

"Taking out structural curves and toning down the atrium should help to reduce cost without reducing the intent and function of the building.

"Not many local construction companies bid originally. That," he said, "meant metro bidders from Tulsa, Oklahoma City and elsewhere had to provide housing that was not available in Wilburton for their workers.

"We are hoping that by extending the construction time by two months and changing some details we can get local contractors to bid on the project."

The $7.2 million building was slated for opening during the fall of 2008. Smith said he hopes it still can.

The 36,500 square-foot facility is financed as part of the 2005 state higher education bond issue.

The two-story building will be the first building constructed on the Wilburton campus since Sullivan Hall was built in 1968 as the science building. Eastern has constructed two buildings on the McAlester campus in the last few years but no major construction has occurred on the Wilburton campus in 40 years.

The Student Life and Learning Center originally hosted a number of facilities including a cyber café, expanded book store, student lounge and cafeteria, a ballroom, class rooms and counseling center, student senate offices and meeting room and Dean of Student's office.

Ballroom facilities were designed with a mini kitchen for servicing the area when converted into a dining room. The area will be 30 percent larger than the current facilities and can be divided into three separate areas to accommodate multiple activities.

Student Senate offices and meeting room will also be on the second floor along with other offices and counselors.

The building will be located on what is now the main parking lot in the center of campus and elevated almost six feet above the cur\rent parking grade.