Spate of construction happening at CSU

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Colorado State University has plans within the next five years to spend up to $175 million on multiple facilities that would benefit the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Announced earlier this year was the Institute for Biological and Translational Therapies. The $65 million, 103,000-square foot IBTT will investigate next-generation treatments that involve the use of gene therapy, stem cells, specialized tissue replacement, and novel proteins. It will house basic laboratory research, preclinical trials, and veterinary clinical trials—all under one roof—as well as focus on commercialization of new technologies (see JAVMA, March 1, 2015).

Artist’s renderings illustrate plans for the new Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Family Equine Hospital complex at Colorado State University. (Photos courtesy of CSU)

In July, the veterinary college announced a $10 million gift from the Denver-based Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation that launches plans to build a $47 million, 180,000-square-foot equine teaching hospital. It is the lead contribution in establishing the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Family Equine Hospital.

The university’s equine clinical services now are housed in the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Construction of the new equine hospital will move those services into a separate space and will allow for expansion and advancement. Specifically, the new hospital will feature the following three categories of specialized veterinary care for horses:

  • Equine critical care and isolation facilities, providing medical attention for critically ill and injured patients and facilities for isolating horses with infectious diseases.
  • Equine sports medicine and rehabilitation, providing care for equine athletes with lameness and musculoskeletal injury and disease.
  • In-patient hospital services, including advanced diagnostics such as use of a high-resolution CT scanner in standing patients and during surgery.

In the new hospital, CSU’s 27 equine clinicians will care for about 4,000 horses each year and will continue to conduct clinical studies, according to a CSU press release.

In addition, $23 million has been allocated for multiple renovation projects to the veterinary teaching hospital through 2020. They include plans for a new wing with classroom and laboratory space designated for second-year veterinary students. The intent is to help them transition into the hospital setting for clinical rotations during their final two years in the veterinary program.

Dr. Christopher Kawcak, professor of orthopedics and director of equine clinical services, performs joint surgery on a horse. Demand for equine services at CSU has climbed substantially, going from 2,215 patient visits in fiscal year 2011 to 4,969 patient visits in fiscal year 2015.

Additional costs will be incurred for infrastructure and support facilities, including a hay barn, additional and relocated animal barns and handling facilities, parking, and stormwater detention and treatment facilities.

All construction costs will be covered by philanthropy, according to a CSU spokesperson.

The Institute for Biological and Translational Therapies would be located just north of the Diagnostic Medicine Center. The Johnson Family Equine Hospital will be located west of the Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center.

CSU will break ground on the new facilities when enough donations have come in to finance construction; the hope is within a year. Renovations at the veterinary teaching hospital are ongoing.

Related JAVMA content:

Biologic therapies research gets a boost with $42.5 million donation (March 1, 2015)