IDAHO FALLS, ID (KIFI) — This week, the Eastern Idaho College (CEI) Board of Trustees convened a special meeting to approve a “maximum guaranteed price” of $36,407,023 to construct a new FutureTech building on campus. was approved unanimously.
This vote marks a milestone in this three-year effort to build on energy, innovation and technology.
“We are just bursting at the seams here on campus,” CEI President Rick Ammann said. “A lack of classroom space limits our ability to teach and train graduates for family-wage jobs. The 88,000-square-foot Future Tech Building provides flexibility and state-of-the-art teaching space. The planning team designed Future Tech around using the building as an educational tool, a “Swiss Army Knife”… It is a multi-functional, multi-purpose facility. ”
The university discussed plans for a community-wide campaign to raise funds for furniture, supplies and equipment needed to operate the building.
In addition to classroom space, the building also has areas suitable for large gatherings, including business and civic events, collaboration spaces for students, and bay spaces. As the name suggests, this architectural design incorporates cutting-edge technology built into the building itself. This educational space is intended to house the university's cutting-edge programs, including cybersecurity, energy systems technology, nuclear technology, and battery and solar cell technology.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for June, with equipment arrival and site preparation occurring in the coming weeks.
