Breaking ground for the William P. and Bonnie V. Science Hall took place on Nov. 12, 2009.

State officials, Spokane business representatives as well as families and friends watched as the $31.7 million project began.

The three-story, 63,000 square-foot building will house primarily biology and chemistry and is expected to be opened in the fall for classes. This is the beginning of Whitworth’s $53 million project to sustain the sciences.

Donors were not the only ones responsible for making the science hall happen.

“It was also done through a bond issue which is handled in the business office and approved by the Board of Trustees,” director of development Holly Norton said.

Bouten Construction Company is the contractor for this project and is helping Whitworth meet the Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification for the facility.

The classrooms can be converted to labs, and are expected to meet the needs of science students for the next 20 years.

“This building will make Whitworth more competitive in the sciences,” director of campaign planning Tad Wisenor said.

A planned 16,000-square-foot addition to the Eric Johnston Science Center will cost another $16 million, Wisenor said.