Building expansions mark campus growth

The redesigned Capital Union Building features a new 6,000-square-foot Fitness Center and additional locker rooms.

Rendering of the completed Educational Activities Building project.

On March 1, Penn State Harrisburg dedicated its new fitness center and broke ground for an addition, including classroom and laboratory space, to the Educational Activities Building (EAB).

"With increasing enrollment, the addition of an NCAA Division III athletics program in recent years, and new on- and off- campus housing, the college has faced increasing demand for more classroom, laboratory, and athletics and recreational space," said Chancellor Mukund Kulkarni. "The expansion and enhancements to the Capital Union Building and Educational Activities Building will permit us to meet these pressing needs and will help to enhance the educational experience of our students."

The $3.8 million, 12,560-square-foot CUB expansion, begun in fall 2011, includes the addition of a 6,000-square-foot, second-floor student fitness center and atrium with exercise equipment, flat screen televisions, an information desk, and day lockers. First floor additions include locker rooms with laundry, storage, and referee space.

The EAB groundbreaking recognizes the start of the $19.5 million project, anticipated to be completed by summer of 2014. The project includes a 51,500-square-foot addition which will connect to the existing two-story building, which will also be renovated. The completed building will feature civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering labs; tiered classrooms accommodating up to 120 students; a multi-purpose room; faculty research labs; support offices; and a computer laboratory.

[View a live feed from the EAB "Construction Cam."]

Students also will benefit from hands-on learning opportunities at the EAB through newly landscaped sustainable swales and a rain garden to manage stormwater, and pavement constructed of alternative material.

Fitness center design and construction team included: WTW Architects (architect); Barber & Hoffman, Inc. (structural engineering); Barton Associates (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and communications engineering); eci Construction (general contractor); and Larson Design Group (site/civil/landscaping engineering).

The EAB  design and construction team includes: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (architect); the Office for Planning and Architecture (associate architect); Reynolds Construction (construction management); Hope Furrer Associates (structural engineering); Integrated Engineering Solutions, Inc. (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and communications engineer); and Raudenbush Engineering (civil engineer/landscape design).