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Snow College Richfield breaks ground on Washburn Building expansion

ByRobert Stevens

By Robert Stevens

RICHFIELD—Snow College has broken ground on an expansion of the Dewain C. Washburn Building designed to create new student gathering areas and strengthen the connection between the Richfield campus and Main Street.

Participants in Snow College’s Sept. 24 groundbreaking for the Dewain C. Washburn Building expansion turn the first shovels of dirt outside the Richfield campus building. The project will add a new façade, monument and plaza designed to create gathering space and strengthen the campus connection to Main Street.
Participants in Snow College’s Sept. 24 groundbreaking for the Dewain C. Washburn Building expansion turn the first shovels of dirt outside the Richfield campus building. The project will add a new façade, monument and plaza designed to create gathering space and strengthen the campus connection to Main Street.

College administrators, students, staff, board members and community leaders gathered Sept. 24 at the south entrance of the Washburn Building to mark the beginning of construction.

The project will add a new façade, monument and plaza, creating a more visible entrance to the campus and a central space where students, visitors and community members can gather.

“This expansion marks the beginning of a beautiful new connection between our campus and Main Street,” said Heidi Stringham, Snow College economic development and community outreach director.

The Washburn Building, originally constructed in 1977, houses classrooms, laboratories, shops and offices. It also represents the original foundation around which the Richfield campus developed.

Stringham said community input helped college officials recognize that many people perceive the Sevier Valley Center as the entrance to the Richfield campus. The college’s main entrance, however, begins at 200 South near the Washburn Building.

The expansion is intended to make that entrance more recognizable while creating a transition between Main Street and the campus.

“Now, as our visitors enter, they will be welcomed by a vibrant new plaza, an inspiring piece of art, and a whole lot of energy from student life,” Stringham said.

College officials said the project’s design focuses heavily on giving students more opportunities to spend time together outside classrooms.

“This project is very intentional. Everything about it comes back to our students and creating the best possible experience for them while they are here,” said Cody Branch, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management.

Aspen Fillmore, a sophomore cosmetology student, said the project will also benefit programs that regularly interact with the public.

“I am personally excited to be a cosmetology student here on campus while this project is happening,” Fillmore said. “This gives us more space, a welcoming entrance for our customers, and a great environment for us to gather and enjoy our time on campus.”

Sage Johnson, a sophomore and member of the women’s cross-country team, said students are looking forward to having another place to interact across programs.

“We look forward to more student activities, a space to gather and create relationships with others, no matter our major, and to help students get out, gather, and socialize,” Johnson said.

College officials and project partners also view the expansion as part of a broader effort to shape the future of the Richfield campus.

Michael Budge of LOCI Landscape Architecture said the project is intended to provide a foundation for future campus development, rather than stand as an isolated improvement.

Construction will temporarily affect some areas used by the public. College officials said the baseball fields will remain open for public and city use, although parking near the fields may be affected. A small section of the bike path through campus will also close during construction.