UW-L breaks ground on new student center

The $53 million project expected to open in early 2017

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Some UW-La Crosse Students were celebrating on campus Friday.

The university broke ground on its new, $53 million student center.

The 200,000 square foot, 3 story building is going up right across the street from Veterans Memorial Field.

The building will represent the area’s bluffs and rivers right in the middle of campus. 

In 2012, students voted to build a new student center instead of renovating the old Cartwright Center.

“Many, many years of hard work and a lot of student involvement that has resulted in us finally getting to the point where we are digging. We’re going to have a new student center and it’s going to be a new showcase and a wonderful place for our students,” said Dir. of University Centers Larry Ringgenberg.

The building is funded through student fees and is expected to open in early 2017.