CGCC Celebrates Opening of Ironwood Hall on the Pecos Campus
February 16, 2010
Contact: Trish Niemann, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, 480.732.7030, trish.neimann@cgcmail.maricopa.edu
For Immediate Release
CGCC Celebrates Opening of Ironwood Hall on the Pecos Campus
Chandler-Gilbert Community College is celebrating the opening of Ironwood Hall on the college's Pecos Campus with a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, February 11. The official ceremony will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by tours and classroom demonstrations.
An innovative multi-purpose classroom building, Ironwood Hall contains physical science laboratories, general education classrooms, lecture halls, and faculty offices. A new ceramics studio lies adjacent to Ironwood Hall featuring 24 potters' wheels, abundant natural light and professional-grade kilns.
"We are very excited about the opening of Ironwood Hall," said Dr. Linda Lujan, CGCC's interim president. "In addition to facilitating significant expansion of our physical science classes and providing space for continued growth of general education classes, Ironwood Hall is a facility that enhances student engagement by offering indoor and outdoor gathering places where students can interact and learn outside of class."
Built by Caliente Construction from a design by Architekton, the $17.9 million facility is 58,500 square feet and features state-of-the-art classrooms and labs that will serve students studying chemistry, engineering, geology, physics, and astronomy. Just outside of the building is a two-story "Grand Canyon rock wall," depicting the geological strata of Grand Canyon, which will be utilized as a teaching tool in the college's geology classes.
"Ironwood Hall allows us to double our capacity for science classes," said Dr. William Guerriero, CGCC Vice President of Academic Affairs. "This is key during a time when there is such a high-demand for these classes due to growth in both science and engineering fields."
Tucson sculptor Barbara Grygutis created Desert Passage: Canopy Dreams, a pedestrian bridge that connects Ironwood Hall to another of CGCC's classroom buildings. Lujan said this piece of functional art reflects CGCC's commitment to public art.
The design and construction of LEED-certified Ironwood Hall honors the college's commitment to environmental stewardship by incorporating sustainable materials and strategies. Insulated concrete form walls, a computerized Energy Management System designed for the automated control and monitoring of the heating, ventilation and lighting needs of the building, and reclaimed water for exterior irrigation are just a few of the sustainable features incorporated into the building.
"As a charter signatory to the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, CGCC is committed to building all its new spaces to this high level of sustainability," Lujan said. "We are committed to an ethic of responsible stewardship in all of our activities and strive to integrate environmental awareness and sustainability into all aspects of our college operations as well as the educational experience of our students."