West Texas A&M University officials and other dignitaries will add another chapter to the history of agriculture education at WTAMU when they break ground for a new Agricultural Sciences Complex at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14. The public event will take place at the construction site at the corner of Russell Long Boulevard and Hospital Drive.
“This facility will be transformational for agricultural education at this university and complements our ongoing efforts to expand veterinary education in the region,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this dream a reality, especially the members of the Texas Legislature for their crucial support.”
The new Agricultural Sciences Complex will provide more than 140,000 square feet of space to provide the best in educational opportunities for WTAMU students and the community. The facility will house classrooms, labs and offices as well as a state-of-the arts meat lab, a multi-purpose arena with spectator seating for up to 500 people and a pavilion for the showing, handling and evaluation of animals.
“We are excited the addition of the new Agricultural Sciences Complex to our campus and so grateful to The Texas A&M University System, the Texas Legislature and the many industry leaders who have supported this project,” Dr. Walter Wendler, University president, said. “We look forward to the many opportunities it will offer our students as well as the many collaborations for research and real-world experiences with industry professionals.”
The facility’s new meats laboratory will include a retail store for the purchase of quality meats by the public. The multi-purpose arena will offer the perfect space for everything from 4-H and FFA contests to horse and livestock judging events. The enclosed pavilion will accommodate courses involving live animals as well as special events for alumni and community partners. These facilities also will allow the department to offer new training and certification programs designed for industry professionals that aren’t offered at any other university in the state.
The new complex is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2018.
(News release from West Texas A&M University)
