Employees with the construction company Market & Johnson continue to work on constructing the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) at UW-River Falls. Work on the $117 million project, the largest in the university’s history, began during the summer and is expected to open to students in 2026. UWRF photo.
 

UW-River Falls groundbreaking to celebrate construction of SciTech building

Largest project in university’s history scheduled to open in 2026

Oct. 10, 2023 - When University of Wisconsin-River Falls officials join others in a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Oct. 23, to commemorate construction underway on the university’s Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech), the occasion will mark more than the celebration of a building. 

That’s because SciTech isn’t just any building. 

The much anticipated $117 million building is the largest project in UW-River Falls history and has been years in the making. The SciTech groundbreaking is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the corner of E. Cascade Avenue and S. 3rd Street, River Falls. The public is invited to the event.

SciTech will be home to students from a wide range of majors who will learn through hands-on, high-impact experiences in biology, chemistry, physics and psychological sciences. The project will create partnerships between UW-River Falls and businesses, thereby providing students with valuable research opportunities and jobs while growing the economy.

“SciTech will have a tremendous, positive impact for our campus and for the St. Croix Valley,” Chancellor Maria Gallo said. “It will provide our students and faculty with numerous opportunities to engage with businesses to grow the economy of our region and the state.”

The state of Wisconsin has funded $111.73 million for the SciTech project, and the university is raising the remaining $5 million. Construction on SciTech began during the summer and the building is projected to open to students in 2026. 

SciTech involved significant planning and had to receive the approval of the state Building Commission last year for construction to begin. The project is possible because of numerous partnerships and the decision by UW-River Falls and regional businesses to address a growing demand for science and technology-related jobs, said Richard Foy, assistant chancellor for university advancement.  

“SciTech is a shining example of the power of collaboration,” Foy said. “The success of the project has been the result of the efforts of university leadership, legislators, donors, alumni and corporate and business partners.”

To learn more about SciTech, or to donate to the project, visit https://www.uwrf.edu/university-advancement/support-scitech.