Chadron State moving ahead with ag, athletic facilities

Designs have been created for a 33,600 square-foot agriculture facility southeast of CSC’s main campus and for a structure adjoining the Armstrong Building that would create 45,000 feet of space, including a new gymnasium, seating, showers, classrooms and offices. Program statements for both facilities have been approved by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education and forwarded to the Nebraska Legislature. Chadron State administrators will take the steps to secure state funding after private contributions are raised.

Chadron State President Dr. Janie Park said both facilities will be assets to not only CSC, but western Nebraska as a whole.

“Agriculture has long been the driving force behind our region’s economy, and the new ag building will help prepare students to be leaders of the industry, in addition to providing practice and performance space for our outstanding rodeo program,” she said. “The new athletic events center will be a first-class venue and will nicely position Chadron State with its competition in basketball, volleyball and other sports programs. Many of our opponents have built new structures in recent years, and an upgrade on our campus is long overdue.”

The plans call for $11.78 million of state general funds to be used for the athletic facility. The agriculture facility has a total price tag of $5.13 million. The Chadron State Foundation will lead fund-raising efforts to secure $2 million of private donations for each project.

“These projects are definitely within our reach,” Park said.

The new athletic facility will include a 22,600-square-foot arena with seating for 2,900 spectators, and more the double the size of the existing facility. In addition to the new arena, the plan includes space for classrooms, offices for athletic and sports medicine staff, locker rooms, concessions, ticket sales and storage.

Most of the existing Armstrong Building, which opened in 1964, will be retained, with the new construction adjoining the existing facility to the south.

“Armstrong Gym is a nostalgic structure and will remain a vital part of our athletic facilities as much needed space for practices and training,” she said. “The architects have done a great job incorporating the design of the new structure with that of the old.”

The new agriculture facility will be constructed on Ridgeview Road, nestled into the hills southeast of the Chadron State campus. It will provide a pavilion for rodeo performances and practices, an animal laboratory, a plant and soil science laboratory, and a range herbarium teaching collection. In addition, the building will have offices, concessions and a place for ticket sales. The livestock arena will have chutes for rough and roping stock, and include seating for 250-plus.

“Both of these projects are exciting and will be a great asset in helping Chadron State continue its tradition of excellence,” Park said. “They also will provide a source of pride for the CSC community and an inviting place for people to gather.”