Construction only to continue at OCU

Many have watched the building of the new Bass Music Center at OCU. I've driven by there many times, following the crane and watching the construction. Although I didn't attend OCU, it's impressive to see this centrally-located private university expanding into quite a powerhouse for our city!

And it doesn't appear that the expansion is going to stop anytime soon. Check this out...

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"OCU announces University will spend $40 million On Just-Unveiled Construction Projects

Posted: Monday, June 13, 2005

The towering crane that long oversaw ongoing work on the construction of Oklahoma City University's new Wanda L. Bass Music Center is gone, but OCU officials say the university still has sky-high construction goals.

The Bass Music Center is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2006. In addition, construction is beginning later this year on a new home for the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management, which will be renamed the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center. It is being funded jointly by Ann Lacy and the Inasmuch Foundation of Oklahoma City.

OCU officials also have unveiled plans to renovate the C.Q. Smith Student-Faculty Center, construction of a softball field, improve student dormitories, develop a plan for a new science facility, upgrade campus software, and other needed projects.

"Our C.Q. Smith Student-Faculty Center is dated and at the top of many students' wish lists for renovation," said university President Tom J. McDaniel. "That project will begin soon."

The student-faculty center renovation is expected to cost about $4 million and will include major a larger campus bookstore, more space for student, staff and faculty use and a larger area for food vendors.

As well, OCU's successful women's softball team has needed a home field for several years, McDaniel said. The team has been playing at the National Softball Hall of Fame field. The proposed new field for the school's team will cost about $1.5 million and also will be principally funded by OCU trustee Ann Lacy.

"Our excellent women's softball team needs a field it can call its own and we are excited to be able to make that dream a reality," McDaniel said. "We are once again very grateful to Ann Lacy for her continuous support and generosity."

He added the Dawson-Loeffler Science and Mathematics Center is one of the oldest buildings holding classes on OCU's campus and has long been in need of updating. The commissioned study will consider the options of revamping or replacing this facility.

Of the need for better math and science facilities, Art Cotton, vice president of institutional development for OCU, said, "We have been extremely fortunate to have donors come forward to help pay for the new music building, renovations for the school of dance and arts management, the business school and the art center. .... Now we want to bring the math and science facilities up to meet the standards set by our faculty and students, and by our other new buildings."

Dormitory improvements, technology upgrades and maintenance improvements are also included in this new capital program which totals approximately $40 million. "