Only three days separate the opening of one Columbus State University facility and the groundbreaking for another. Here’s a quick look at the two new developments students, athletes, employees and residents can look forward to:

Cooper Creek Tennis Center

Ribbon-Cutting on Thursday, April 6, 5:30 p.m.
Columbus State University, the Columbus Regional Tennis Association, and the Consolidated Government of Columbus will officially open new additions to the Cooper Creek Tennis Center, the new home of CSU’s men’s and women’s tennis programs, on Thursday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. The $9.5 million project covers almost seven acres and includes a new clubhouse, 12 new hard courts, nine clay courts and four ‘quick start’ courts.

The entire expansion will be dubbed the Judy and Roger Pearce Tennis Center in honor of Judy Pearce, CORTA’s executive director for more than 25 years, and Roger Pearce, a passionate tennis instructor and national level competitor. Together, the couple has “helped elevate the tennis community to one of national prominence,” according to a statement from CORTA.

LeNoir Hall Extension and Renovations

Groundbreaking on Monday, April 10, 11 a.m.
On Monday, April 10 at 11 a.m., Columbus State University will begin construction on the LeNoir Hall project that, when completed, will provide six new state-of-the-art science teaching laboratories and student study spaces.

The university has received $11.3 million in state appropriations for the design and construction of the building. An additional $2 million in state funding was approved by the legislature this month to help equip and furnish the facility. The new labs will better support graduate studies, expand opportunities for students in growing programs such as biology and pre-med, and greatly assist faculty members - some of whom are doing nationally recognized research.