Master plan well under way

Construction on Phase I of Parkland's master plan has begun roughly eight months after the board of trustees selected an architecture firm for the project. BLDD architects of Champaign have been selected to contract the renovations and expansions for the phase and have already started on some of their projects on Parkland's campus such as gym renovations and roofing projects. The renovations in phase I are part of a multi phase Master plan for Parkland, which hopes to update and expand the campus to meet the needs of a growing enrollment and effectively serve the community. The slogan for the master plan is "it takes a community to build a college," and sure enough Parkland has been reaching out to the community and receiving a helping hand.Parkland College currently has about 47 square feet per student. Some averages for urban schools are 73 square feet per student. The average for regional community schools of Parkland's size is 57 square feet per student. With the master plan, Parkland hopes to improve these numbers and provide a better environment for students throughout the campus with a total addition of around 210,000 square feet to the campus.

Funding for the project is still going well said Chris Randles, Vice President of Administration Services and Chief Financial Officer of Parkland College.

"We are still on track with our original funding plans of issuing debt (funding bonds and alternative revenue bonds) in conjunction with the State capital plan funding. The big question remains the timing of the actual payment of funds from the State. There has not been any major change in the funding plan or scope of the Master Plan projects," he said.

A majority of the $92.88 million of funding for the project will be provided locally and through bonds while 26% of the funding will be through the state and another 11% from student fees.

Other projects that will take place include a brand new, 95,140 square feet student services building which will include admissions, counseling, financial aid, student life and other various offices, a food service and snack bar area, bookstore, open-use computer lab, student lounge and fitness center among other things. The student services building hopes to bring the scattered offices and student needs all together in one big building.

According to Jim Bustard, Director of Physical Plant, construction will begin on a new entrance off of Duncan road, which will be closer to the substation, and also be closer to the new fine and applied arts building and "help Parkland's visibility off the street," he said. The entrance way will begin next summer and will help Parkland take a step closer to their goal.

Another project that will take place is an Applied Technology addition, which will house the Auto Collision Repair, and Ford Asset programs, additional space for the diesel program, HVAC, welding, and some construction courses. These programs and courses have been held in temporary or in-adequate on-campus structures or leased off-campus facilities and the addition hopes to provide permanent space for the ever-growing programs and courses. An architect has just been selected for the new 63,000 square foot building and should be ready for classes in fall of 2011. Also, groundbreaking for the diesel program addition to the Noel center happened just last week and should be ready for classes next fall.

Some renovations and improvements to the campus include elevator upgrades, window and door replacements, wing remodeling, an upgrading of the L wing, an addition in laboratories, HVA/C Improvements, a 2nd floor building connection, and an H wing addition for health professions programs.

If enrollment patterns for other Illinois community colleges hold true for Parkland, enrollment is likely to grow another 5 percent in the next 10 years. This would be an increase of nearly 855 students, which would crowd out Parkland, but with the additions and renovations, Parkland would be able to house the students and faculty with no problem.

Parkland is looking forward to the outcome of the master plan and hopes it will provide the students with a new and up to date campus and better provide for the students and faculty. The three to four year project is looking to once again put Parkland above the rest and we are all excited to see how it turns out.