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Waubonsee Community College’s
Board of Trustees has approved the sale of $30 million in
bonds to begin initial construction of facilities outlined
in the 2020 College Master Plan.
In November 2002 voters approved a $67 million bond referendum
for the college to construct eight additional facilities and
remodel its existing buildings.
The first phase will focus on four Waubonsee projects: a
science building and a maintenance building on the Sugar Grove
campus; an Aurora Campus site expansion; and a site for the
Southwest Corridor Extension Center. “These four projects
were selected as first priority based upon several criteria,”
said Dr. Christine J. Sobek, WCC president.
The criteria include current student enrollment demand versus
existing facility capacity; facility condition; current status
of facilities on the state’s higher education capital
buildings list; cascade effect of a new facility; infrastructure
needs of a new building; centralization of services; and increased
cost of operations.
The 55,000 square-foot science building, to be located on
the north side of the Sugar Grove campus, is projected to
cost $13,375.000. It will provide new labs and classrooms
to be used by biology, chemistry, earth science, geology,
physics and healthcare career areas.
“Enrollment in the college’s biology and earth
science classes has shown significant growth over the last
10 to 12 years. We’ve seen interest in biology increase
by 70 percent and enrollment in earth science has jumped by
320 percent. The new science facility is also essential if
the college is to expand its educational programs in the healthcare
professions as well,” explained Sobek. The college expects
to begin educational specifications for the building by this
spring, with occupancy slated for January 2006.
The new maintenance and central storage facility will also
be located on the north side of the Sugar Grove campus. The
20,000 square-foot building is projected to cost $2.2 million.
“We will begin planning for the building this summer
and expect to occupy it in September 2004,” said Sobek.
“It is important to begin this facility as soon as possible.
Then the college can demolish the old building and make that
location available for additional student parking, as well
as create another site for a classroom or student services
building, which are also a part of the 2020 College Master
Plan,” she summarized.
Sobek said that the relocation of the maintenance facility
from the south to the north side of the campus would greatly
improve pedestrian safety and provide better service vehicle
access.
Plans also call for the college to begin the site acquisition
process for a projected 90,000 square-foot expansion to serve
students at the Aurora Campus, as well as secure a location
for a 30,000 square-foot extension center to serve residents
along the U.S. Route 34 corridor.
“We need to expand the programming opportunities at
the college’s Aurora campus to include a wider range
of college-level courses in our associate degree programs,
to expand training opportunities, and to increase the space
available for GED, English as a Second Language (ESL) programs,
and other adult basic education offerings,” said Sobek.
Sobek explained that the planning process for the Aurora
expansion would include college and community representatives.
“We want to get input from leaders in city government,
business, the chamber of commerce, the economic development
commission, other educational institutions, community and
social service agencies, as well as others who have a strong
and vested interest in downtown Aurora.”
She also said that the college would have to carefully examine
the costs involved in construction or renovation of any facility
considered and the impact of additional parking necessary
for students. The budget for this project is $7 million.
College staff will work closely with representatives from
the various U.S. Route 34 corridor communities to determine
a site for the Southwest Corridor Extension Center this spring.
The location would house college-level transfer and occupational
programs and adult basic education offerings. The center would
also provide workforce development training and community
education workshops and seminars. The budget for the extension
center is $4 million. |
