FORT LUPTON – The Colorado Army National Guard opened its newest Readiness Center, at County Road 31 and Ninth Street in Fort Lupton, over the weekend.

A ribbon-cutting for was held Aug. 6, completing a project that began in December 2009. The center will serve 131 citizen soldiers, and houses an assembly hall, classrooms, a library, learning center, kitchen, recruiting office, and fitness area.

The center is one of five readiness centers used to house elements of the First Battalion, 157th Infantry, the Colorado National Guard’s newest light infantry unit. Construction costs on the 35,000-square-foot center totaled $11 million, funded by state and federal money.

Another 31,000-square-foot center is planned for a 17-acre site in the Great Western Industrial Park near Windsor. RB+B Architects unveiled a site plan for the $9.5 million project in May, with construction set to begin soon.

“Having readiness centers in communities across Colorado positions us to better fulfill our state mission as a force multiplier for civil first responders who ask for our help,´ said Army Lt. Col. Kevin Kick, director of Joint Operations for the Colorado National Guard.

The Fort Lupton center will also serve as a venue for social events and as a disaster relief command center during state emergencies.