By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
It’s been 30 years since the North Campus of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has seen any new construction. But in about a year, there will be an addition.
The college celebrated a groundbreaking Monday afternoon for a nearly 39,000-square-foot classroom building.
The eighth campus building, Building 400, will be located along the new entrance off Old Concord Road.
The building will house the continuing education program; classrooms for art, computer, GED, pre-college and general purpose classes; law enforcement and EMT training facilities; a gym; a study lounge; and offices for faculty and staff.
Since the ground was still wet after several days of rainfall last week, the groundbreaking was held on the steps of the Brownell Building.
President Carol Spalding said the dirt came from the site of the planned new building.
Spalding said the construction is expected to take a year and classes are slated to begin in the fall of 2010.
Spalding, RCCC Board Chairman Ray Paradowski and Rowan County Board of Commissioners Chairman Carl Ford spoke at the ceremony.
“Building 400 is the first major capital investment in RCCC’s North Campus in several years,” Spalding said. “A combination of state bond funds for construction and Rowan County funds is making this building possible. It will enable RCCC to serve our community even better.”
The building will also have several environmentally conscious, or “green,” characteristics. Water runoff from the roof and the adjacent parking lot will be detained for natural removal of impurities before moving to a nearby stream.
Low-flow fixtures in the restrooms and closed-loop mechanical systems will reduce water use in the building. Day lighting and highly efficient heating and cooling systems will conserve energy.
Many components in the building will be made of renewable and recyclable materials, a statement said.
“The building will be a milestone in growth and development for the North Campus,” Paradowski said.
Ford, the county commissioners chairman, said he attended the college more than 30 years ago.
“It means a lot to the community. This building represents RCCC moving forward,” Ford said. “This place provides so much for so many people.”
The college has already provided much for Alma White.
White received two associate degrees at RCCC and is also a part of the continuing education department at the South Campus in Concord.
“It means growth, opportunity. It’s a great positive, considering the economy,” she said.
Melody Mattingly, an instructor with the Adult Basic Education GED Program, agreed.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for us to grow. It’s about time,” she said.
Mattingly said she thinks the building will have a direct impact on the GED program.
Ricky Daher is one of her students.
The Salisbury resident said the new building brings a positive outlook to the campus.
“It’s real good. It’s positive progress,” he said.
Jarvis Vinson is another student who will eventually benefit from the addition.
Vinson, of Salisbury, is currently in the GED program and plans to study nursing.
“They need to have a building for incoming students. It’s going to be huge,” Vinson said.