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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Skyrocketing cost estimates for a proposed Utah Valley State College high-tech library are hurting chances of the facility being funded, and community support for the project may be needed, said state Sen. John Valentine.
"The UVSC digital learning center has two surprises for us," the Orem Republican told a community gathering Saturday. "One was a $48 million price tag from a $38 million price tag, and the second was a $56 million price tag from a $48 million."
He said, "The political reality is there are other people queuing up for their projects, and they're saying 'wait a minute, if we move UVSC up to $56 million then my project doesn't get built.' "
The project was proposed during last year's legislative session with a $38 million estimated cost, but UVSC did not push for it as legislators were balking at bonding for construction and already had two large projects at the top of the funding list -- the Capitol renovation and reconstruction of the Marriott Library at the University of Utah.
The project's estimated cost went up to $48 million late last year because construction costs, driven by rising gas prices in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, had increased, officials said.
Valentine said contractors would be able to complete the project within the scope of $48 million, if the Legislature allows them to design the building while it is built.
"If the Legislature says, 'No, we'll let you design it and the following year, we'll let you build it, but we'll authorize the funds now,' then it will cost $56 million," Valentine said.
"Frankly, what we're going to have to do is come to the community for fundraising efforts -- we'll have to come to the community for support," he said.
The library would be a hub on campus, with group and individual study space, more computers for group study, seminar rooms and a server room for the campus computer network.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
