2018 was a banner year for The College of Idaho in terms of major construction projects, from the completion of renovations to Voorhees and Finney Halls to the grand opening of the Cruzen-Murray Library. Each project now has the opportunity to be recognized among the top construction projects in Idaho as finalists in the Idaho Business Review’s 2018 Idaho Top Projects awards.
For the last 12 years, the Idaho Business Review has spotlighted some of the best construction projects within the state across five categories: Private, Public, Renovation, Transportation and Utility/Infrastructure. The nominated projects are judged by a committee of industry experts based on the scope of the work, the challenges the project faced and overcame, how well the projects maintained their planned budgets, and the overall quality of the completed project.
While awards are given to the top three projects in each category, the highest scoring project overall receives the honor of Top Project of the Year, and individuals who attend the awards event on Sept. 13 may vote for People’s Choice Awards in each category.
The Cruzen-Murray Library, the College’s new 52,620 square-foot library which opened to students on the first day of the 2018 Spring Semester, is one of 24 nominees in the Private category.
“The Cruzen-Murray Library is a spectacular addition to campus and provides a unique contemporary design to the historic architecture throughout campus,” said Richard Erne, C of I’s Vice President for Finance and Administration. “In addition to being an attractive entrance to campus, the state-of-the-art library provides an open and natural gathering place for our students to interact and conduct research.”
The Voorhees and Finney Hall renovation projects, completed in Spring 2017 and Winter 2018 respectively, are nominated together as a single project in the Renovation category alongside five other nominees. There are nearly 50 projects nominated across all categories overall.
“The renovation of Voorhees and Finney Halls, two historic student resident halls, was simply incredible,” Erne said. “Upgrading the interiors with a complete makeover while maintaining the historic exterior of buildings originally constructed in 1910 and 1912 was a monumental task. Our Trustees saw the need to preserve these halls, and student response to the renovations has been so positive.”
Winners will be announced at the 2018 Idaho Top Projects event from 5:30-9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at Boise Centre East in Boise, Idaho.
The College of Idaho has a 127-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.