Equine Center

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact:
Carrie Stowers, College of Veterinary Medicine, 612-624-5315

Architects Chosen for New Equine Center

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, (August 30, 2005) – Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson (RRT) of St. Paul, Minn., has been chosen as the principal architect for the new University of Minnesota Equine Center.

RRT will be working with Gralla Architects, an Oklahoma-based firm that  specializes in the design of equine facilities. The Equine Center will be built in the northeast section of the University’s St. Paul campus.

The architects were chosen from a field of six firms that submitted proposals to the University of Minnesota Capital Planning and Project Management Department. Representatives of the Capital Planning and Project Management Department, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Academic Health Center were part of the 10-week selection process.

"We at Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson are honored that our team was selected to design the Equine Center project,” said RRT President Chip Lindeke. “This is a unique program, and as a result, will be a one-a-kind, state-of-the-art facility."

Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson has extensive experience in the design of higher education facilities, including the new visitor center at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The firm has a reputation for designs that respect the context of the surrounding environment with attention to scale, materials, and detail.

Gralla Architects’ other projects have included the Illinois State Fairgrounds Rodeo Complex, among the world’s largest equine events center, and the redevelopment of WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona, one of the largest equine event facilities in the western United States.

"We are excited about our partnership with Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson and Gralla Architects," said Dr. Stephanie Valberg, director of the Equine Center. "Their depth of experience in designing world-class equine facilities is impressive and will play a vital role in the Equine Center’s success."

"The Equine Center will be a focal point for equine research, teaching, and clinical care, bringing together diverse disciplines within the University and experts from industry to foster a culture of innovation and high performance," said Dr. Jeff Klausner, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "We're looking forward to working with this incredible team of architects."

Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson will be submitting their final design to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents on Oct. 27 for approval at the Regents’ November 10-11 meeting. A special event is planned on the St. Paul campus on November 2.

The University of Minnesota is seeking $12 million in private support for the 50,000-square-foot Equine Center, which will include research, educational, and clinical facilities as well as exercise paddocks and an indoor arena. Approximately $3.5 million has been raised. The program will utilize all of the resources available at the University as well as knowledge from industry experts to produce innovative advancements in the health, well-being, and performance of the horse. For more information about the Equine Center campaign, go to http://www.cvm.umn.edu/devalumni/campaigns/equine/home.html.

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