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Education

SDSU Breaks Ground On New Aztec Center

A groundbreaking was held today for the Aztec Student Union at San Diego State University, which will replace the 43-year-old Aztec Center.

"The new Aztec Student Union was a vision developed by San Diego State students who wanted a place that would instill community and school pride for San Diego State's 30,000 students," said SDSU President Stephen Weber. "They wanted a center that is sustainable and responsible to the environment and future generations -- and the students voted to make this happen."

It took 10 years of studies, focus group meetings and student referendums to get the project off the ground, said Associated Students President Cody Barbo.

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The construction costs will be covered by a $94 per semester fee increase, which goes into effect in fall 2013, when the building is expected to open.

The building will be twice the size of the original Aztec Center, providing modernized study lounges and courtyards with wireless Internet, increased meeting space for student leadership and organizations, a fitness center, 300-seat multi-purpose theater, revitalized bowling and games center, cross-cultural center and various dining establishments.

The sustainable design includes solar panels, a roof that lowers greenhouse gas emissions and underground tanks that will collect storm runoff for use as recycled water. The school expects to re-use or recycle about 80 percent of the material in the original Aztec Center.

The school functions that were housed in Aztec Center have all moved to other spaces on campus.