Take
one step into the new Diagnostic Medicine Center at Colorado State
University and you’ll know that this isn’t your old professor’s laboratory.
Soaring ceilings, expansive artscapes, bright snaps of color, collaborative
spaces, and laboratories designed to feel unrestrained rather than confined
– all come together in functionality to create a world-class laboratory for
world-class diagnostics and discovery.
Construction on the DMC was completed in June 2009 and on Friday, Sept. 11, at 11:30 a.m., the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University will celebrate the opening of the building with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by an open house, tours, and refreshments. Everyone is invited to attend and get a look at the future of diagnostic medicine in Colorado.
“Many, many people worked very hard for the last 10 years to bring this building from concept to reality,” said Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Without their efforts, and public support from the State of Colorado, we certainly would not be able to enjoy this beautiful facility today.
“The DMC is not only a testament to the value of determination, but also to the vision of those who foresaw the increasingly important role of the DMC on the national stage of infectious diseases and agents of special interest, and who knew current facilities could not contain the growth of DMC programs.”
The new facility houses the CSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the VTH Clinical Pathology Laboratory, the Animal Population Health Institute, and the Colorado State University Extension veterinarian. The new facilities will enable these programs to assist the state and nation in protecting animal and public health by identifying infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and other conditions affecting animal and human health and well-being. The DMC also will facilitate education and outreach to students and citizens.
The building encloses 100,300 total gross square feet, including the equipment penthouse, in a unique open design around a central atrium with an abundance of natural lighting, terrazzo floors, and art glass walls. A total of 88,000 square feet is dedicated to three stories of modern laboratory and office space, designed to handle the approximately 500,000 diagnostic tests done annually, along with research and teaching missions. An extensive conventional necropsy area includes 1,200 feet of Biosafety Level 2 necropsy space. The facility also has an additional 2,000 square feet of Biosafety Level 3 space.
The Diagnostic Medicine Center is located just north of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 300 W. Drake Road in Fort Collins. Parking for the dedication ceremony is available directly to the west of the Diagnostic Medicine Center. Guests can enter from Drake Road and proceed to the west side of the VTH. For additional construction information and building specifications on the Diagnostic Medicine Center visit www.fm.colostate.edu/projects.
