Construction of the first major academic building on the Fitchburg State College campus in decades has moved a step closer to reality.
In a move that signals strong state support for Fitchburg State’s new science building, the Massachusetts Department of Administration and Finance has given the go-ahead for the college to begin the design phase of the $57 million project.
That year-long effort is the final hurdle before construction begins.
“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for,” said Fitchburg State President Robert V. Antonucci. “The Commonwealth does not fund design studies unless they are committed to subsequently funding construction.”
Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s office announced $1 million in funding for the current fiscal year, funds that will allow for demolition of the aging Parkinson Gymnasium as well as the design study for modernization of the Condike Science Building and construction of a nearly 55,000-square-foot addition.
Condike, constructed in 1963, served the college well but its mechanical and electrical systems have reached the end of their useful lives and need to be replaced. Since Condike’s construction, science programs have expanded and evolved to the point where the building is no longer able to support excellence in science education.
After a lengthy study, the proposed solution is the full renovation of Condike and the construction of a new 54,900-square-foot addition for biology, chemistry, physics and geology/geosciences.
The addition will be built on the site of the former Parkinson Gymnasium, which is expected to be demolished in the spring.
The new science complex will meet state LEED energy certification standards.
The emphasis of the facility’s design will be on “shared science” program components that encourage the collaborative approach characteristic of current science instruction. Its location on the existing quadrangle at the heart of campus supports its collegial role and is an important step in the implementation of the framework established by the 2007 Chan Krieger Master Plan.
The project features classrooms, laboratories, offices and support spaces.
Construction of the new addition is expected to take two years and will allow relocation of labs and the renovation of Condike, which will take another year.
