Tri-C Westshore Campus expanding to add classes

Cuyahoga Community College is adding on to its Westshore Campus to provide more opportunities for students.

“An addition is currently being constructed to add much needed space for our students,” said Tri-C Westshore Campus President Terri Pope. “We are adding 38 classrooms as a result of the expansion.

“We will also be adding labs for computer science and engineering. There will also be a well-vented dance room added for yoga, Pilates and other uses for students.”

Pope said the number of students created a demand for the space at the Westlake campus.

“We needed the extra room, and the new addition will allow students to stay in this building for a good amount of their classes,” she said. “We are currently using a two-building system.

“We have the Westshore Campus Health Careers buildings (31001 Clemens Road) and the Corporate College West Building (25425 Center Ridge Road).

Students have to travel five miles, from one building to the other, to get all of their classes,” Pope said.

Now, they can take their general elective courses such as English, math and introductory to sciences at the updated Westshore on Clemens.

Pope said convenience was a big reason.

“It makes life so much easier on the students,” she said. “They will not have to run across town to get to all their classes. The entire complement of courses will be in one spot. We will also have food services added along with the expansion.” Programs will be added. “We will continue to carry nursing and EMT,” she said. “We will be adding the ability for students to also obtain their (associate degrees) in science, art and business.

“It gives them more options and allows distance and transportation to be less of a factor than in the past.”

Pope said the addition will be ready in time for the next academic year.

“We are expecting a July 2019 completion,” she said. “Everything has continued as scheduled, and we are all looking forward to it.”

The college said in a news release the $40 million project will add 89,000 square feet to the building, addressing a space shortage.

“The expansion of Westshore Campus will fulfill our commitment to provide access to a comprehensive educational experience in these booming communities,” said Tri-C President Alex Johnson in the release. “The Campus Center will not only increase convenience for our students and faculty, but also better position our students for success in their education and careers.”

The campus posted record enrollment numbers this academic year, with double-digit percentage increases for fall and spring semesters. The surge pushed the student population at the campus to nearly 2,200, according to the release.