Phase II of Rangeland Complex construction is now underway

 The Coffee Agriculture Pavilion, which began the first phase of the construction process in 2011, opened in 2013. However, Phase II is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015, according to Dale Grant, Chadron State College vice president of administration and finance.

Phase II, which will complete the construction of the Rangeland Complex, includes laboratories and classrooms for studying soils and animals, as well as offices for rangeland professors. The predominantly state-funded project is estimated at $3.8 million.

“We’re pleased to get this project underway,” Grant said. “The state has been gracious with its funding and Chadron State students and faculty will certainly benefit from the enhanced labs and office space.”

The modern laboratories and classroom facilities will allow students and faculty to analyze soils and to study animals. Grant said a downdraft table will be installed in a lab for livestock and wildlife necropsies.

Phase II will also provide office space for instructors, a lobby and a large outdoor deck overlooking the Chadron State campus. The building, including the deck and a preparation area to wash plant and animal samples, is estimated to be 12,500 square feet.  

Sampson Construction is the general contractor for the entire project and Bahr Vermeer Haecker is the architect.