College trustees will receive an update on renovation and other bond-related projects when they hold their regular monthly meeting at 12:30 p.m. Monday in the Student Union Building Tumbleweed Room.
Ever since voters approved a $21 million bond in 2007, college officials have debated the merits of renovation vs. new construction as the best way to spend that money.
It now seems the college can get the best bang for the buck by going with renovation, College President Dr. Cheryl Sparks said.
“We are going to place the emphasis on renovating our infrastructure — water, sewer, HVAC and related systems — that is going to be our first priority,” Sparks said. “We also will rehabilitate our existing buildings, such as administration, practical arts, science and the student union building.”
There will be at least some construction — plans call for two new science labs to be built adjacent to the science building — but that will be the extent of new buildings, Sparks said.
“We will try to put as much of our effort and money into existing spaces,” she said. “Based on engineering and architectural reviews, we feel that is a good decision. We have sound buildings, they just need some rehab work.”
Officials also are drafting an energy management plan to save even more money in the future, Sparks noted.
“As we do planning for our infrastructure, hopefully, we’ll see some savings in energy costs through this management plan,” she said.
In other business Monday, trustees will consider:
