The administration building (Building 1) is scheduled to be demolished in order to continue construction of a new joint classroom and administration building.
The new building is slated for completion in Fall 2013. The two story structure will house most of the administration department as well as more classrooms and places for other student and faculty services.
“The new Classroom Building was funded by the State of Washington as a replacement project, and our contract with the State says that we must remove Building 1 after the classroom building is completed” said Director of Capital of Community Colleges of Spokane Cheryl Groth. “We do not have a choice. When buildings get too expensive to maintain and operate, they are replaced.”
The construction of the project cost $14.5 million which includes the price of tearing down Building 1. As funding is approved, a new structure will be built in the old footprint of Building 1.
“Because Building 1 is too hard to maintain, too hard to upgrade, we may put too much money into it for the square footage we get,” said Groth. “So it has to come down.”
The new building will not only serve to replace the administration offices, but will also include areas for student use.
“There will be areas for tutoring, testing, counseling, plus faculty and administrative offices in the new building,” said Groth. “It will also house the campus communication hub that is currently in Building 1.”
Some students are behind the choice to replace Building 1, citing the possible benefits for students.
“I don’t think its a waste of money because it gives people a new environment, we get more stuff, and we get more learning,” said Nichole Bryan a student.
However, the construction site has caused some problems in SFCC’s academic environment, leaving some unable to concentrate on study.
“I don’t study near the construction, and I feel it is very noisy,” said SFCC student Rachel Milps.
According to Groth, when the construction of the new administration building is nearing completion, they will begin building a new Early Learning Center, possibly as early as next summer.
“The Early Learning Center building will be placed in the plot between Building 5 and Parking Plot P4, and the Early Learning Center in Building 16 will move to this new separated building,” said Groth.
“Not only will the new building be modernized for the program, but also will provide a more secure and safe facility.
Construction of the Early Learning Center is scheduled to begin in 2013.

Tu Nguyen