Lang Center Opens Doors to the Future

By Isaac Graham · The Mainstream
Published Janurary 24, 2012

With all the frustrations that have come from campus construction and remodeling, one structure brings hope for completion. The Danny Lang Teaching, Learning and Event Center is now finished after nearly seven years of imagination, sweat and anticipation. Many are itching to get inside.

“The excitement is palpable right now,” says Community Relations Director Bentley Gilbert. “People are rapping on the door to get in . . . some have been sneaking in!”

The anticipation is almost over as the first public open house for the new building will take place Feb. 10. Staff members have already been inside as a tour was held for them on Friday.

The excitement surrounding the opening of the building may be triggered by some key factors. First, the sheer size of the structure is enough inspire awe as the Lang Center boasts approximately 21,000 square feet.

Second, the structure demonstrates hope for bolstering not only the local wine industry, but also other local industries.

“I believe that [this structure] embodies the spirit of economic development,” said Allison Priestley Southern Oregon Wine Institute Program Assistant. She also believes that the Lang Center will stimulate the local economy and snowball to assist other local industries from hazelnuts and dairy to construction and real estate.

As for the building itself, the architectural firm of Fletcher Farr Ayotte out of Portland, Oregon is responsible for the unique design. The general contractor was Russ Noah of R.E. Noah and Company, located in Roseburg, OR.

An unprecedented amount of the work was done by local firms using many local resources.

“Eighty-seven percent of the construction costs were spent with local firms,” said Noah. “This is so unusually high that I don’t think any project this large could boast this kind of figure in our area for a public works job.”

The impact locally was substantial as total construction costs equaled upwards of $7 million. A significant portion of this cost, $2.4 million, was paid for by donated private funds raised from 221 donors through 14 fundraisers. An invitation-only event officially titled “Donor Recognition Dinner at the Lang Center” will be held on Friday to honor those who donated.

The hope is that the job creation and local economy stimulation that was made possible by these donors will not end with the completion of the building.

“The project [helped] grow the local economy with the construction-supporting job creation and the academic program the facility houses supporting a growing local industry for long-term job growth,” said Troy Ainsworth of Fletcher Farr Ayotte.

The Lang Center may just be the key to the kingdom for Southern Oregon wines.

“The fruit is here, and we need something like [the Lang Center] to make [the wine] world class,” said UCC student and wine enthusiast Dan Alfred who helped guide the staff tour of the facility.

The Lang Center will ultimately be a comprehensive facility of practical instruction for work in the wine industry. Once regulatory approval for wine storage is obtained, the equipment required to produce a bottle of wine from the vine to the bottle will be moved to the Lang Center from the temporary facility being used now.

Face-to-face classroom instruction is scheduled to begin officially fall term of 2012. Currently, classes are being taught online with laboratory events planned in the new building this term. The vision of the Lang Center is to give students a full handson, practical experience in viticulture and enology as well as grow the local economy.

“It’s an architecturallysignificant, academic structure on the UCC campus that will enhance the entire community and the needs of one of the growing industries in the Umpqua Valley,” said Gilbert.