Construction on Washington State University Tri-Cities’ new Student Union Building — called the SUB — was completed Aug. 14 and the grand opening was celebrated Sept. 14.

The building will be used for student leisure, study, meetings and events.

WSU Tri-Cities students voted to assess a fee upon themselves to pay for construction of the $5.73 million facility. There are about 2,000 students enrolled at the branch campus.

The 6,250-square-foot building has meeting rooms, multipurpose space and a lounging/recreation area for students. It also has a large cougar head design on the exterior of the glass and an outdoor gas fire pit. The interior features Coug colors of crimson and gray.

The building at 2710 Crimson Way in north Richland is adjacent to the Consolidated Information Center building on campus.

The general contractor/architect for the project was Leon and Keeble Inc. of Spokane.

The completion of the building, in conjunction with a growing campus and student housing, is turning the university into the premier destination campus in the region for STEM fields and wine science education.