Thanks to administrative support, several departmental construction projects are either ongoing or soon to begin. The Agricultural Mechanization and Technology Center is now in Phase II, with the classroom and office area being completed this past summer. The fabrication lab has been in use since fall, 1999. The adjoining power and machinery lab is currently under construction. In addition to a three-bay power lab, this phase of the building will house storage facilities, tool rooms, and student washup and locker areas. Finish work on storage rooms, display cases, door closures, locks, etc. is yet to be completed. With Higher Education Assistance Funds allocated to the department by university administration, over $150,000 in furniture, equipment, tools, and multimedia teaching equipment were ordered for the new structure. Seven computer stations have been installed at the lab for drafting and design instruction and other general classroom needs. The features of the Agricultural Mechanization Center allow instruction in all areas of agricultural technology. Dr. Billy Harrell and Dr. Joe Muller worked closely with the building architect to design a teaching laboratory that will meet our needs for years to come.

A new $107,000 greenhouse was put into service this semester. The greenhouse features a state-of-the-art double-walled Lexan covering, evaporative cooling system, sliding tables for maximum floor space usage, and an internal automatically controlled shading system. Further, it has an electronically controlled irrigation/fertigation system with separate controls for four zones within the greenhouse. Student projects are filling it now.

At Gibbs Ranch, the working pens near the front of the ranch are soon to be moved to a more central location on the ranch to facilitate greater ease in moving and working cattle. New working pens and facilities have also been purchased for the meat goat area.

Construction of a new outdoor rodeo arena is scheduled to begin soon to replace the arena on the property across the Interstate from the Ag Center. The City of Huntsville has entered a 30-year lease agreement with the university to construct and operate an 18-hole golf course on that property. The new arena will also have a restroom/concessions building adjacent to it.

The university administration has enlisted the services of Mr. Ralph Spencer to prepare a master plan of future construction needs and campus layout and design. Dr. Lane has met with Mr. Spencer several times to discuss departmental facility needs. Mr. Spencer's report is due out this spring.