The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts at UCA is approaching the final months of its construction. The opening of the building is set for the beginning of the spring 2023 semester.

Art and design chair Bryan Massey compared his colleagues to “kids at Christmas” when they toured their new space in the Windgate Center. 

“I had some staff think about retirement, but they said it made them change their mind,” Massey said. “Classes, as far as I know, are going to be starting in January. It’s just a matter of us unpacking everything and getting it ready for classes to begin.”

UCA broke ground on the project Oct. 9, 2020. UCA President Houston Davis said the building stands out among the Windgate Foundation’s other projects.

“It is simply going to be phenomenal for our program because this building is one of a kind. The Windgate Foundation has built buildings for a few other campuses, but there is not another one as big as ours will be at the University of Central Arkansas,” Davis said.

Davis said the size of the building will provide more opportunities for the college of arts, humanities and social sciences.

“The Windgate Center will be over 100,000 square feet and there are going to be a lot of options for what we can do with our program in this beautiful building. Our program’s trajectory is going to elevate tremendously,” Davis said.

Winter break will be a critical time for the opening of the Windgate Center. Construction will complete its final touches and UCA staff members will move into and set up their classrooms, offices and workspaces. 

Massey said, “If they can work around us and still get things done, then we should be alright. As long as it does not affect the classroom, then we should be on schedule.”

Massey said moving began as early as October, with heavy items moved first. However, some items cannot be moved until break because they are being used by classes.

The Windgate Center will provide more classrooms than the CAHSS currently has. The college held an equipment meeting to discuss how much new equipment will be needed to appropriately fill all classrooms. 

Massey said, “Everything on our wishlist tops out at about $156,000. We have to go back and prioritize what’s most important — some of the big ticket items — I think we can get those. It just comes down to how we go about prioritizing things.”

Massey said certain items, such as a laser-plasma cutter, would be “game changers” for his program.

The move will be coordinated by an outside contractor hired by UCA. However, Massey said he will move a few items himself to make sure nothing is broken.

“I have been told that anything fragile we will need to pack up and move ourselves. Any of my sculptures, I don’t want anyone moving them but me. I don’t mean any disrespect when I say that,” Massey said. 

Massey said he would do his part in completing the move-in process.

“I’m pretty sure that there is going to be a grand opening, and it’s hard when you come into someone’s space and there are totes everywhere,” Massey said. “I am going to be here to make sure my part is done.”

The opening is scheduled to occur sometime over winter break, ahead of the start of the spring 2023 semester. More information on the building can be found online at uca.edu/cahss/windgate.