Check out the Buffalo Sports Park animation video. Buffalo Sports Park is now open and is the exciting new home to a variety of West Texas A&M University programs. The $21.8 million student funded-project not only provides valuable new space for WT but also for the entire community. In addition to being the location of WT’s brand new Division II intercollegiate complex for competition in baseball, softball, soccer and track and field, Buffalo Sports Park also will be the site for University intramural activities as well as community events and area high school sports.
The project involved a complete renovation of campus from east of Jarrett Hall and north to the former site of the University’s Wind Test Center. The sprawling complex includes: • the competition David and Myrt Wilder Baseball Field with seating; • a competition softball field with seating; • a competition combined soccer and track and field facility with seating; • two combination football and soccer practice fields; • a three-field intramural and recreational softball/flag football facility with lighting; • two intramural basketball courts with lighting; • two intramural tennis courts with lighting; • a practice field for the WTAMU marching band; • a grand lawn park activity area with lighting; • a jogging trail with lighting; and • rest room, concession and ticket facilities.
Fine Arts Building Demolition
The old Fine Arts Building has served its purpose for more than 50 years, and demolation of the facility is now complete. Many fond memories lay hidden among the bricks and beams, but the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex is forging new ones with the students of WT’s second century. A paved area with 160 new parking spots will replace the old Fine Arts Building by fall 2010. Check out the Fine Arts Building demolition.
Hudspeth Hall Demolition/Centennial Hall
Fifty years after its construction, Hudspeth Hall has been be abated and demolished, and a new residence hall for underclassmen will be erected in its place. The new four-story Centennial Hall will house more than 340 students in double rooms with individual sinks. The new hall is expected to be ready for occupancy by fall 2011. See the demolition of Hudspeth Hall.
Jack B. Kelley Student Center Students voted in favor to increase the Student Center Fee for the purpose of expanding the Jack B. Kelley Student Center. The expansion will include additional meeting rooms, a multi-purpose room, additional food service areas, study spaces, a catering kitchen and student lounge. The expansion is tentatively scheduled for completion August 2011 and will extend west from the JBK onto the lawn south of the Classroom Center.
Virgil Henson Activities Center
The VHAC has already started to get a facelift on the main west entrance through this year. The renovation includes first-floor office renovations as well as new aesthetics to the center’s lobby and main staircase. Along with a new, more efficient entrance the development will include a game room, and for the adventurous, a three story climbing wall.
Classroom Center Renovation
Renovations began in January 2008, and today the Classroom Center is a technological marvel designed to meet University needs for many years to come. Smart-classroom technology is located throughout the building with new interactive display panels in every classroom. The building also features two state-of-the-art ITV video teleconferencing classrooms equipped with smart-classroom technology specifically designed for distance learning.
In addition to the technology, each of the building’s four floors features new paint, decorative wall sconces and an abundance of natural light filtering in from the glassed-in staircase. Tables and chairs have replaced the outdated school desks, and a new, larger elevator has been installed along with a four-pipe heating and air conditioning system that is thermostat controlled for comfort. Safety locks on classroom doors, fire doors, new windows, updated restrooms, carpeting and expanded office space are just a few more changes made during the renovation.
And the Student Success Center (SSC) is another big change found in the renovated facility. The SSC is located on the first floor of the Classroom Center to provide a one-stop shop for students. Offices located in the SSC include the STARR Center (advising), Student Employment Services, Student Counseling Services, Career Services, Educational Services (tutoring, testing, supplemental instruction), First-Year Experience (New Student Orientation, Learning Communities), Life Services, Nationally Competitive Scholarships, Student Support Services, Student Disability Services, Study Abroad, Transfer Center and the Writing Lab.
Dining Hall Renovation
The many students who call the WTAMU campus home know that the dining hall has recently received a face-lift. The renovation offers more than just an improved aesthetic. It also increases its functionality, allowing students to move through the lines quicker.
Pedestrian Mall
Completed and dedicated at Homecoming 2007, the pedestrian mall is located directly north of Old Main where Wisdom Road and University Drive intersect. These cross streets between Old Main, Killgore Research Center and the Jack B. Kelly Student Center are gone. In its place is a newly landscaped green space with the new Hayward Spirit Tower and the magnificent marble statue “The Original Texans.”
Jack and Helen Hayward graciously donated the funds for the spirit tower, which is currently the tallest building on campus. Every day when the tower’s clock strikes noon, the WT fight song echoes forth in a powerful display of school spirit.
The mall features copious landscaping and a marble sculpture of a buffalo and calf by artist Doug Scott of New Mexico. The “Original Texans” sculpture sits prominently along Buffalo Walk north of Old Main and is encased in a cascading water feature.
The beautiful pedestrian mall is a great place for student gatherings, outdoor functions and activities. It also features wireless Internet access.
