$65 million project to begin

Construction of the $65 million College Center project is set to start this summer at Contra Costa College, limiting access to the campus for the projected three years of work.

The project will include the demolition of the Student Activities Building, located in the heart of the campus. The building houses the Bookstore, Student Dining Room and Fireside Room. The Amphitheatre behind the building will be torn down as well.

“It will definitely disrupt student life,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said.

“For the entire duration of construction, there will be a chain-link fence keeping the construction zone off-limits right in the heart of the school.”

King said the college is looking into where to re-locate everything that is currently in the SA Building.

“There are two options (the college) can take — moving everything into a modular building, which would cost somewhere around $37,000,” King said, “or using one of the old child care buildings (near Building and Grounds). It was been emptied over a decade ago and is now just used for storage.”

President Denise Noldon agrees that there will be some effect on student life when construction begins.

“It is the largest project that the district has undertaken at this point — it is going to cause some disruption. We don’t want people to feel displaced,” she said.

“It will be minimally a three-year project, but we want to make sure it gets done in the way it is supposed to.”

The project will more than likely begin sometime in June, King said.

By the end of its completion, the quad will have a two-story SA Building in place of the current structure, as well as a new Fireside Room, Bookstore and Amphitheatre.

Supply buyer Nick Dunn is slowly preparing his team of employees for the large move of their store to their new temporary location.

“I’m not really looking forward to it. We’re going from a large space to a small space,” Dunn said. “It’s going to be a change, but what can you do besides live in the situation?”

Todd Mongtech, a second-year CCC student, said navigating through the campus and finding a place to relax will be more difficult when the fenced-off construction area is in place.

“It will be an inconvenience,” he said. “This is where the Middle College High School students hang out.”

Bids from contractors will begin coming in next month.

“In March, we will be opening up bids for contractors to do the project,” King said.