Construction on the Thaine B. Price Science Complex at La Sierra University began in June 2004. This new $21 million facility will house classrooms, laboratories and offices for the mathematics, computer science and biology departments.

“It just opens opportunities for students and faculty to do research in a state-of-the-art facility to continue La Sierra University leadership roles in science and math,” says David Geriguis, vice president for finance. Geriguis added that the 48,000 square foot facility is projected for completion in January 2006.

The science complex project also includes significant renovation to neighboring building Palmer Hall, currently La Sierra’s primary science building since the 1950s. After the renovation, the physics and chemistry departments will be housed in Palmer Hall. Cossentine Hall will continue to serve as a lecture hall facility for the sciences and other academic departments.

Together, the Price, Palmer and Cossentine buildings will form one of the most up-do-date, functional science, research and instructional centers in Southern California. Once the three buildings are completed and fully operational, every undergraduate student enrolled at La Sierra will take at least one class in the complex.

As of mid-August, 18,500 yards of soil, with a total of 1,300 truckloads left the campus to create the 20-foot deep site for the Thaine B. Price Science Complex foundation. There are also one and one-fourth miles of conduit installed with 6,200 feet for primary electric. Tilden Coil Constructors, Inc., of Riverside, Calif., the contractors erecting the science complex, estimate that 38 subcontractors will work on the project.

“Notable La Sierra University alumnus and distinguished surgeon Thaine B. Price has made the lead multi-million gift to the science complex,” says Warren Trenchard, provost for La Sierra. “Additional generous commitments ranging from $300,000 to one million dollars have allowed the university to begin construction [this summer]. This is really an exciting time for La Sierra University. The last new building project took place about 20 years ago. So the new facility will be a welcome addition to campus. It will create exciting opportunities for both students and faculty.”

Also under construction on campus is a new entrance off Riverwalk Parkway. Estimated at over $3 million, it is located at the intersection of Riverwalk and Sierra Vista and includes an upgraded track, soccer field, softball field and a cascading waterfall near “The Glory of God’s Grace” sculpture. The Riverwalk entrance creates a nice vision with three lakes, a jogging trail, 399 trees with 36 different tree species and 23 varieties of shrubs.

“We wanted to expand the plant palette of the University,” says Blake Hinman, principal of LanTex Landscape Architecture Firm, based in San Juan Capistrano. “This will help students with the study of plant matter. The entry will also have a bridge effect that leads to the meandering access road.” For updated photos of current construction please go to the web site at www.lasierra.edu/news/construction/index.html.