Wellness center fundraising making progress

As funding sources continue to be explored to reduce the financial burden on students, the CU Board of Regents unanimously approved the program plan for the CU Denver wellness centerto be built on the Auraria Campus.

Chancellor Jerry Wartgow told the board at Tuesday’s meeting that student leaders and administration continue to seek funding sources to offset the $12 per credit hour fee to be paid by CU Denver students. He expects to be able to report on new funding sources in the next three months.

“We’ve made a lot of progress. President Benson and myself are very active in that,” Wartgow said. “We don’t have a check yet, but we’re working on various proposals and charitable donations. And all this money will go toward reducing the debt.”

Of the student fees, 50 percent will go toward paying off the bonds, which will mature in 30 years, and the rest of the funds will go toward maintenance of the center. The student fees will be cut in half when the bonds mature, Wartgow said.

Projected cost of the three-story, 85,000-square-foot center is $42.3 million. Scott Cao, Intercampus Student Forum chair, said the campus is taking bids for design; it will take between 12 months and 18 months to complete the design leading up to the construction. The center is expected to open in winter 2018.

“It’s truly a blessing to be at an institution where regents are so supportive of the students,” Cao said.