Construction isn’t restricted to the main campus.

The Elizabethtown campus will also see expansion in response to expected population growth in the area.

The North Central Education Foundation donated 20 acres of land to Western in May for the expansion of its Elizabethtown campus.

The land will be used to build a $39 million facility near the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

The project is a part of Western’s six-year capital plan, said Doug Ault, director of Planning, Design and Construction.

The foundation donated the land to Western so the university can increase its bachelor and graduate degree programs in the area, said Ronald Stephens, associate dean of Western’s Elizabethtown campus.

The land is tentatively appraised at $1.3 million, said Tom Hiles, vice president for institutional advancement.

“We’re very pleased with it – it’s a wonderful gift,” Hiles said.

There aren’t yet any plans for what the facility will be used for or a timeline for when plans should be set, Stephens said.

President Gary Ransdell said the facility is a priority for Western, and the land gift is helpful because the university doesn’t have to pay for the cost of the land.

“It’s a huge gift that gives us increased capacity and strengthens our partnership with ECTC,” he said.

Western will ask for state money for the facility that will help grow the baccalaureate and masters programs in Elizabethtown, Ransdell said.

Ault will meet with Stephens and others to discuss building plans to send to Frankfort.

Most of the space will be dedicated to Western programs, but there will be some shared space with Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

The facility will help with projected growth that will occur at the extended campuses during the next few years.

Ransdell said the new facility will specifically address expected growth after the U.S. Army’s Base Realignment and Closure.

BRAC involves closing some military units and moving some units to other bases, such as Fort Knox.

Elizabethtown and the surrounding areas are expecting a population growth of 3,600 employed people and their families, said Lois Gray, Board of Regents chairwoman.

More area military bases will open in the next six to 10 years, which increases demand for educational opportunities.

Reach Susie Laun at news@chherald.com.