Numerous projects are currently underway at Grand Canyon University’s 300-acre campus this summer. Two major initiatives are focused on business development: the expansion of Lux Precision Manufacturing and upgrades to the Colangelo College of Business.
Lux Precision Manufacturing is expanding its operations in Building 66, tripling its number of CNC machines and more than doubling its space. The facility will now cover over 25,000 square feet and include state-of-the-art classrooms and live labs. Weston Smith, Lux’s founder and CEO, said, “The vision behind that is to expand the manufacturing and education system at GCU, building state-of-the-art classrooms and live labs right in the manufacturing facility to work and learn.”
Additionally, construction has begun on the T.W. Lewis Center for Student Success within the Colangelo College of Business. This upgrade is part of a five-year, $2 million commitment by the T.W. Lewis Foundation. The center will feature an improved sound system for speaker series, a broadcast room, podcast facilities, a stock market ticker, and a digital job openings board.
In housing developments, Gila River Apartments are nearing completion as part of The Rivers complex on campus. This new addition brings residential living areas on campus to 32.
Health science programs are also expanding with additional construction completed in Building 71 to accommodate new programs in occupational therapy and speech pathology. Dr. Lisa Smith noted that these spaces would be used by students enrolled in the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program this fall.
Dining facilities are undergoing changes as well. Fresh Fusion is moving across from the Student Union to Thunderground for better service provision while opening up more kitchen space for catering services. Qdoba will remodel its ordering area, while Chick-fil-A will undergo back-of-house improvements.
Traffic improvements include constructing a no-left-turn island at the 30th Avenue entrance between parking garages along with added street lights for increased visibility at night.
Other minor enhancements involve privacy skirts around pool fences, expanded practice areas at the golf course through a new maintenance shed, elevator accessibility improvements in the Echo building, and planning courtyard upgrades between Buildings 1 and 6.
Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen can be reached at [email protected]
