UW president Rothman visits UW-La Crosse, prioritizes science center that state has withheld for six years

When the head of the Universities of Wisconsin comes to La Crosse, he often hears people at UW-L ask about getting the Prairie Springs Science Center completed.

UW President Jay Rothman spoke again about the project while Tuesday on the UW-L campus, saying it’s still a major goal for state leaders in Madison.

“Prairie Springs was the No. 1 prioritized major capital facility, so it is No. 1 in terms of the major capital projects,” Rothman said, “and it has the full support of the Universities of Wisconsin administration. It has the full support of the Board of Regents. We want to see Prairie Springs get enumerated and be built.”

Phase II of the science center had a budget of almost $93 million. But it’s been put off by Republicans in the state Legislature for six years and cost, as of a year ago, was around $180 million.

The Phase II project was a top priority for the UW System last year, as well.

Rothman said the demand for science and health care workers justifies the need for more university science facilities, Wisconsin campuses continue to attract young people who want to learn valuable jobs.

“Where’s that nurse, or physician, or health care provider going to come from?” he asked. “Where’s the data scientist, the business finance person, or the marketing person?