IVC board prioritizes projects

IMPERIAL – The Imperial Valley College Board of Trustees recently gave direction to campus administrators to proceed with a series of capital outlay projects aimed primarily at meeting campus growth.

Prioritization was given to the expansion of the campus’ nursing and allied health facility, which a recent accreditation identified as needed to help meet enrollment demands.

“We need to grow in that area and especially now that we’re adding a full-time medical assistant program,” said IVC President Martha Garcia.

An estimated $2.8 million will go toward the nursing center expansion, according to backup documents from the board’s Aug. 25 special meeting and retreat, where the sizable list of projects were prioritized.

The campus is currently in the curriculum modification process for the pending medical assistant program, which is expected to become operational in either fall 2019 or spring 2020, Garcia said.

Funds for the capital outlay projects will come from $32 million in 2010 general obligation bonds that were sold on Aug. 1, Garcia said.

Board trustees also directed IVC staff to fund the renovation of multiple buildings that have not been modernized since the institution was founded in 1962.

Those selected include the campus’ 200, 300 and 800 buildings, with about half of the expense being funded by $7.2 million in bonds and the other $7.4 million in matching state funds.

The buildings’ modernization will include the addition of updated technology and infrastructure.

“We want to ensure that we take advantage of the opportunity and prove that we are creating learning environments that are relevant to our current time,” Garcia said.

The campus’ automobile technology and laboratory facilities in the 1100, 1200 and 1300 buildings is also slated to receive about $10 million in funding.

The funds will go toward expanding the available space for lab and lecture, enhance its data, communications and audio-visual equipment, as well as add new water and sewer lines to serve each building.

Additional upgrades will target the program’s fire alarm and high voltage electrical systems, American with Disabilities Act amenities, and existing architecture.

The bonds will also go toward funding deferred maintenance projects, such as replacing multiple air conditioning units on campus, and additional plumbing and electrical work totaling about $10.1 million.

Aside from projects funded through the use of bond monies, Garcia said the board also authorized the use of funds to expand the campus’ College Center, located in the 600 building.

The proposed expansion would provide an additional 3,000 square feet of space. The existing College Center is used extensively by students, whose overall numbers grew by 8 percent last academic year, Garcia said.

“The size of the College Center is no longer serving the needs of the students,” she said.

Not all of the campus’ existing capital outlay projects will be funded this academic year, but may be considered for funding next academic year.

Those other proposed projects included the resurfacing and application of a water barrier for the campus’ tennis courts for a cost of $645,000, as well as $1.2 million to replace the existing bookstore’s modular building.

Garcia said she was thankful to the board of trustees for their direction and prioritization of projects.

“We are all about the students,” said Trustee Karla Sigmond. “They are the No. 1 priority.”