Chadron State College held groundbreaking ceremonies Friday for the $32-plus million dollar Math Science Center of Innovative Learning expansion and remodeling project.
Work is to begin in Nov with the expanded building to open in Jan 2022.
The project will more than double the size of the building that opened in 1968 by adding a new wing on the north side while the original building will be completely renovated, remodeled, and upgraded.
Serving as the MC for the groundbreaking was Science Professor and former CSC Vice President of Academics Dr Hardy, who has been associated with the building in one form or another for most of its lifetime.
Hardy said CSC has had a strong math-science program almost since it opened, a history that includes starting the college education of Nobel Prize-winning nuclear physicist Val Finch, who left because of World War II.
While Hardy is excited about the renovations to the existing Math Science building, she’s sad that building codes will mean the end of its most iconic feature – the 2-story Foucault pendulum that proves the earth revolves on its axis.
It won’t be forgotten, though. Then pendulum ball is being used as a time capsule that will be kept in the expanded COIL. Hardy said one of the first items that went in was a CSC COVID-19 mask, and she asked for suggestions and donations of other items for the time capsule.
While the state is providing the bulk of the money for the project, Chadron State and the Chadron State Foundation must provide a rough $4.5-million dollar match. Fundraising for it is continuing.