Supercomputing Center Takes Step Forward With Construction Firm Selection

BOULDER—The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) announced today the selection of a construction management and general contracting firm for the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) project. NCAR has selected Denver-based Saunders Construction, Inc. to provide pre-construction and, potentially, construction services for the $66 million, 150,000-square-foot building in Cheyenne, Wyo. The award to Saunders was made following a competitive selection process.

The project is undergoing a multi-step review process with the National Science Foundation, NCAR’s principal sponsor. If approved, construction could begin in the spring, with the center opening in late 2011 or early 2012 in Cheyenne’s North Range Business Park.

“NCAR is very excited to be taking the next important step in this process,” said Krista Laursen, NWSC project director at NCAR. “We are pleased to be on track to deliver a world-class facility for the atmospheric science and geoscience communities.”

Saunders Construction, Inc. is a full-service general contractor and construction manager based in Centennial, Colorado. The firm provides pre-construction and construction services throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Other firms working on the project include design firm H+L Architecture and E-Cube, Inc., the firm responsible for commissioning.

“Saunders is honored to be a part of such a strong and experienced team to deliver this technologically advanced facility to UCAR/NCAR, Wyoming, and the West,” said Jim Weber, vice president of project development at Saunders Construction, Inc.

The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center is being developed in partnership with the University of Wyoming, the State of Wyoming, Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development (Cheyenne LEADS), the Wyoming Business Council, and Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power. It will contain one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers dedicated to improving scientific understanding of climate, severe weather, air quality, and other vital atmospheric science and geoscience topics.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.