Whitworth University says it has named Spokane-based Leone & Keeble Inc. as the general contractor for a big music center remodel and addition project.

Last spring, the Journal reported the design firm for the project would be Spokane-based Integrus Architecture PS. The school had held off on naming a contractor until all funding for the project could be identified. 

Lauren Clark, Whitworth’s media relations manager, says the total cost of project, including architectural fees, new construction, renovations, and endowment for future repairs, came to $13.5 million, all of which was generated through fundraising. 

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held last May, and construction on the project began in July. The project is expected to wrap up by August 2016, with music programs moving into that space the following month. 

Clark says the music center addition includes 21,000 square feet of floor space, including two large rehearsal rooms, one for choral rehearsal and one for instrumental, as well as teaching studios, a recording studio, practice rooms, and lobby space. The project also will include remodeling about 16,000 square feet of space in the existing building.  

Clark says that an additional $300,000 also was raised separately to provide new pianos for both practice rooms and teaching studios.

Built in 1978, with significant support from the Cowles Family Foundation, the music center has been named the Cowles Music Center, in honor of the family’s support of arts and education at Whitworth. 

Richard Strauch, professor of music and director of the wind symphony at Whitworth, says the building will have significant impacts for both the students and the Whitworth community. 

“This facility is going to be double the size of our current building, which we outgrew some time ago,” Strauch says.  “We’ll have additional space and upgraded technology that will allow us to serve all our students, both music and nonmusic majors.”