WVU News

WVU has spent $800M on construction in last 5 years

MORGANTOWN — WVU completed nearly $800 million in construction projects during the last five years.

The figure is highlighted in an updated version of the 2012 Facilities Master Plan that WVU officials submitted to the Board of Governors. A facility master plan is required by state code every 10 years.

Some projects were renovations while others were building new facilities on its Morgantown campuses, for athletics or its satellite facilities.

Among the new construction projects were the Student Recreation fields ($3.8 million), WVU efforts in the Monongalia County Ballpark ($23.7 million), an engineering lab at the Beckley campus ($3 million) and a new Agricultural Sciences Building ($97 million).

There were various sources of funding for the projects including bond issuance, donations and athletic money.

WVU’s vice president for strategic initiatives Rob Alsop said it’s a dramatic difference to see the new classroom space in some new buildings, such as the Advanced Engineering Research Building or the Ag Sciences, compared to their old homes.

“It’s like night and day,” he said. “Upgrading those buildings really makes it better for our faculty and students.”