Western Technical College improvements progress

First phase of renovations to Coleman Center now complete

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Improvements to Western’s campus continue.

The first phase of renovations to the Coleman Center is now complete.

That part of the project included several classrooms as well as offices for academic staff and faculty. Three departments have moved into the new space already.

The re-modeling is part of a larger campus facilities plan that’s being funded by a nearly $80 million referendum that was passed in 2012. The school’s facilities director says the improvements were made while maintaining the integrity of the historic building.

“We’ve retained utilization, functionality; I think the best thing is we’ve retained the structure. It’ll be a very modern, up-to-date, energy-efficient facility and it’ll retain the charm of the exterior,” said Western Technical College Director of Facilities Jay McHenry.

The original Coleman building was built in the 1920s.

Work on the second part of the project could start as early as next week.