ALLEN, Texas – On September 24, the Allen Independent School District in Texas celebrated the dedication of its new STEAM Center in Allen, located 23 miles north of Dallas.

Designed by VLK, the impressive new STEAM Center supports innovative instruction across the district, offering Kindergarteners to 12^th-grade students 111,000 square feet of increased exposure to science, technology, engineering, art, and math-integrated experiences. The Center supports a rich integrated learning experience, which includes many dynamic indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

Cadence McShane Construction of Addison, Texas, was the general contractor on this impressive project.

“Today, we came together to commemorate one of the most unique learning centers in the nation,” said Daniel Pitcock, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Allen ISD. “Now the Center is fully operating to serve every learning level in this district.”

In January, the first class of students kicked off the inaugural K-8 program at the STEAM Center. This fall, the Center commenced the high school program. This campus aims to expand student interests and future workforce needs in STEAM-related areas. STEAM Center courses are designed to instill future- ready skills including collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication and project management. Additionally, opportunities for problem- and project-based learning, as well as interdisciplinary learning, are strongly encouraged.

VLK Architects, which has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso, and Houston, Texas provides architecture, planning and interior design services to K-12, higher education, corporate and institutional clients.

“This marks the full realization of Allen ISD’s ambitious vision for its STEAM program,” said Sloan Harris, Partner, VLK Architects. “It’s been an extraordinary journey for both the district and VLK, but the real rewards will be evident in years to come as this Center plays a profound role in the development of tomorrow’s leaders in STEAM industries.”

Student enrollment has more than doubled since 1989 in the Allen Independent School District, which serves than 20,780 in grades K-12. Students attend one of 18 elementary schools, three middle schools, one freshman center, and one high school staffed by 2,660 Allen ISD employees.

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Houghton College students and student athletes can now enjoy a new 115,000-square-foot, 6,000-seat field house; five competition quality tennis courts; an eight-lane, 200-meter regulation size track; and new stadiums to support the school’s baseball and softball programs. The expansion also includes a new cardio fitness center, weight room and locker room facilities, as well as a commercial kitchen, concession area and office spaces.

Phase I of the project focused on the existing Burke Field, which received an artificial turf makeover. Phase II concentrated on construction of the baseball and softball stadiums, which were dedicated in the spring of 2013. The state-of-the-art field house was constructed during Phase III and took roughly a year to complete.

"Walking into this facility today I had to pinch myself, I could not believe I was in Allegany County. This is a game changer,” said State Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean) in a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "We all know the rigors of competing in sports prepares our students for life, but when you couple that with education, that is what is going to change our future here.”

Kenneth R. Gay of Keystone Associates in Binghamton, N.Y. served as the project architect. Keystone Associates also conducted a feasibility study in early 2012 to select the complex site, which is adjacent to both Burke Field and the existing Alumni Athletic Complex. The firm began the design process in spring 2012 and construction on the facility in August 2013.

At the initial groundbreaking ceremony, Houghton College President Dr. Shirley Mullen noted that the impact of the new facility would reach beyond the school’s athletic department.

“The rest of the community and every student at Houghton will benefit,” Mullen said. “It will be a great facility to encourage wellness, physical fitness and the wholeness of personal development that is a hallmark of the Houghton experience.”

The Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex was made possible by a generous $12 million gift from the Kim (Kerr) and Terry Pegula family, which has long promoted and supported athletics across the spectrum. The family currently owns the National Hockey League Buffalo Sabres as well as the team’s American Hockey League affiliate the Rochester Americans. The Pegulas also made headlines in September 2014 when they placed the winning bid to purchase the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills.

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