>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

By The Observer

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith of Pendleton and Congressman Greg Walden of Hood River will be among those present at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for Eastern Oregon Universitys new science building.

The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. on the west lawn of Badgley Hall, the universitys existing 30,090-square-foot science building.

The event also will include Oregon House Speaker Mark Simmons, R-Elgin; Oregon Senate Majority Leader David Nelson, R-Pendleton; and Joe Cox, chancellor of the Oregon University System.

The $33.5 million project will add 67,480 square feet to the Badgley science building. The project also includes a 7,500 square-foot biotech lab and a 5,000-square foot greenhouse.

The project is being funded by state, federal and private sources. Last month the Oregon Legislature approved $23.5 million in state funding for the building.

The science center is another great example of the partnerships between the university, the community and the state, said Eastern President Phil Creighton.

The addition of this new building will enable us to support our enrollment growth and contribute to the economic development of the region.

In the process of adding 67,480 square feet of science building floor space, 27 combination classroom and labs and 60 offices will be included in the combined Badgley Hall and new science building space. Biotech research and development labs also will be included.

Those who are working as partners on the science center project include the Oregon Health and Science Universitys nursing program, Oregon State Universitys agriculture program, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlifes fish pathology lab and Portland State Universitys engineering program.