Colorado State University has selected the architectural firms of FWA Group – Hillier to design the University’s new Diagnostic Medicine Center to be located at the South Campus, on the north side of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
“The faculty and staff at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories have been waiting patiently for this new facility to come on line, and have been making the best of their current space, so it’s exciting to start the initial planning phase,” said Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Selection of these architectural firms is the first tangible step towards our vision for a new Diagnostic Medicine Center. We thank the Colorado State Legislature for their support of this much-needed facility, and look forward to making the State of Colorado proud of its investment in disease prevention, surveillance, testing and research, and in Colorado higher education.”
In June, the State Legislature voted to provide $35 million for Colorado State University’s new Diagnostic Medicine Center. The new center will house Diagnostic Laboratory personnel, the Clinical Pathology Laboratory, the Office of the State Veterinarian, and other programs based at the Veterinary Medical Center on the South Campus. The first $3.5 million, which was allocated July 1, 2006, enabled the hiring of the architectural firms that will prepare construction drawings for this important new facility.
New diagnostic facilities are desperately needed to keep pace with the changing needs of Colorado’s and the nation’s animal agriculture and advances in diagnostic technologies. Diagnostic testing with biosecurity concerns also requires the creation of additional specialized laboratory space. This type of testing is on the increase because of new animal diseases as well as national security and concerns over bioweapons and zoonotic diseases. Additionally, diagnostic medicine is becoming more specialized, and requires more technical equipment and space to provide better diagnostics for veterinary clients. The new facility will provide approximately 60,000 gross square feet for diagnostic laboratories and 31,000 square feet for office and support spaces.
To learn more about the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories at Colorado State University, visit their Web site at www.dlab.colostate.edu.
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Circled area shows location of future Diagnostic Medicine Center. |
