Newswise — A $3 million state grant will help fund a two-building development on the main campus of Misericordia University that will provide hands-on learning opportunities for teacher education students in a day care facility and also support various athletic programs in a physical training center near Mangelsdorf Field and the new baseball diamond, which will be named in honor of the Tambur family.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant (RACP) will be applied to the nearly $10 million investment in the campus community. Construction is scheduled to begin in early summer with both projects expected to be completed in time for the fall 2012 semester.
“The mixed-use facility includes a state-of-the-art day care center which will serve our Back Mountain community,’’ said Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University. “Students in our teacher education department will be able to engage in practice teaching and work as part-time day care support staff right on campus.’’ The 13,000-square-foot first floor of the 37,000-square-foot building by the North Gate of campus and across the parking lot from the Anderson Sports and Health Center is dedicated to a 130-child day care center that will be managed and operated by Hildebrandt Learning Systems. The facility will also contain a classroom for the Misericordia University Teacher Education Department, which will provide an even closer interaction between young children and MU students who are preparing to become teachers.
The top two floors of the $6.2 million project — about 24,000 square feet — will provide 90 beds for student housing, including one resident director. The suite-style residence space features kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and appliances. Each floor also contains a study lounge and laundry facilities.
The $3.5 million physical training center will be a state-of-the-art athletic center. The 18,900-square-foot, one-story facility will house new athletic therapy rooms, a training room, locker rooms and public restrooms, while also supporting various athletic programs.
“The RACP grant will help Misericordia continue its significant growth and facilitate our extensive outreach to the Back Mountain community,’’ said President MacDowell. “Misericordia has always welcomed local residents on campus for numerous cultural, educational and recreational activities. The new facilities, to be partially underwritten by this grant, will allow us to expand those offerings considerably.’’
For more information about Misericordia University, please log on to www.misericordia.edu or call (570) 674-6400. Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s first four-year college and offers 32 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in three colleges in full- and part-time formats.
RSS