$100M: University of Montana construction projects set to break ground

(KPAX) The University of Montana is about to undergo one of its biggest changes in decades, investing more than $100 million in campus infrastructure as UM looks for an enrollment turnaround.

The biggest decision that young people make is where they go to college, noted University of Montana Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz.

Kuntz said enrollment at UM is continuing to move in the right direction. But one thing prospective students point out is the dated architecture, “a lot of these buildings have been around for over 100 years."

Kuntz said student surveys show they want to see updates on the Missoula campus.

"This is their home for four and five years, so we want to make sure our residence halls are up to date, our dining halls are places people want to hang out, eat and feel welcome,” Kuntz said. “So we're making these investments to ensure that that's the case."

More than $100 million of investments are being planned. The money is coming from a combination of bonds that the university has issued, as well as some private money it's raising.

"You'll see here at the Ryman Walk we'll redo all the brickwork, we'll have a new dining facility that'll help greet students and give some of our aging dorms the face lift they need,” Kuntz said. “We have the dining hall, we're gonna update Knowles Residence Hall, we're going to build a new museum of art and culture here on campus, so it's going to be a really exciting time."

UM will start with updates on the west side of campus with the groundbreaking for some projects set for this fall. Kuntz said he's excited to see the outcome and hopes future students will be too.

"I think when the class of 2025 walks across the stage here in a few years it's going to be a new, really fresh look here on campus."