YUMA, ARIZ. — McCarthy Building Cos. has broken ground for development of the $17.5 million Student Experience Center at Arizona Western College in Yuma. Serving more than 11,000 students, the two-story, 45,000-square-foot center will be situated on 3.5 acres.
Slated to open in fall 2023, the center will feature a lecture hall, multiple instructional modalities, shared common areas, conference rooms, maker space, an eatery, game areas and a multimedia center and esports arena.
The multimedia center will house the KAWC radio station and broadcast television studio with an emphasis on modern technology. Students and the public will be able to observe behind-the-scenes production through glass walls and TV monitors.
The Student Experience Center will also offer a space for honors students to study and collaborate on group projects; a food pantry and clothing program for disadvantaged students; and 13,000 square feet of administrative space on the second floor.
EMC2 is serving as the design architect on the project. The project team also includes Haxton Masonry, Delta Diversified Enterprises, Yuma Valley Contractors, Pacific Steel Inc. and Progressive Roofing.