The Auraria Board has approved a new location for the construction of the Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center (HLC). The HLC will now be constructed where the tennis courts are currently located, on campus just off Auraria Parkway at Speer Boulevard.

The previous location, on the old Walnut Street in Parking Lot R, posed serious infrastructure issues, including requiring the relocation of a gas line, storm sewer line and water line. The utility issues would have likely increased costs and delayed construction of the HLC.

“The new location works out even better than the previous location because of layout, and we’re very excited to get started building,” said Associate Chair and Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management Chad Gruhl.

According to Sean Nesbitt, director of facilities planning and space management, the Master Plan Subcommittee of the Auraria Board has reviewed two locations is doing a cost analysis for relocating the courts. He says the Auraria Board doesn’t meet again for a few months, so there will not be a final decision anytime soon.

According to Gruhl, who chaired the HLC task force, the name of the Center has been changed from Hotel Learning Center to Hospitality Learning Center to be “more inclusive to include every aspect of the hospitality department.”

The ground breaking for the HLC is scheduled for early 2011.