VLK Architects joins College Station ISD in Celebrating the Opening of the District’s Agriculture Science Center
On Wednesday, August 21, VLK joined College Station ISD (CSISD) to celebrate the grand opening of their Agriculture Science Center (ASC). CSISD board members, community members, and representatives from VLK Architects and general contractor, SpawGlass, were in attendance. The event included interactive family-friendly activities, self-guided tours of the facility, and information about the district’s career and technical education programs (CTE).
"The Agriculture Science Center is a testament to the commitment of our community to support and enhance the learning experiences of our students," said Dr. Tim Harkrider, CSISD superintendent of schools. "We are grateful to VLK Architects for creating a space that not only meets our needs but also inspires growth and opportunity for our students in agriculture and beyond."
The ASC was included as Phase I of the district’s planned multi-phase CTE Center in the voter-approved 2021 Bond Election. The facility boasts modern amenities, including around 100 pens for animal housing, specialized washing and grooming stations tailored to each species, and an arena designed for students to practice animal exhibitions. The surrounding acreage will also be utilized for further hands-on learning opportunities in agriculture, wildlife management, and gardening.
The ASC is the district's first ever dedicated livestock barn for CSISD FFA programs, providing opportunities for agriculture-focused courses like Wildlife, Veterinary Medicine, Livestock, Animal Sciences, and Range Land & Ecology. This specialized facility will give students from A&M Consolidated High School and College Station High School greater access to focused learning experiences that will benefit them now and for years to come.
“VLK is proud to be part of the design team to deliver the Agriculture Science Center,” said VLK Principal-in-Charge Melissa Fleming. “We are excited to see the vision of all those involved come together to provide additional experiences and learning opportunities for students of all ages.”
Phase II of the CTE center, approved by College Station voters in 2023, is in the preliminary stages and will be adjacent to the ASC on the project’s designated 90-acre property.