Jun 14, 2018
Construction on COM grounds
Crews working outside the Student Center and LRCCOM Chemistry Lab being demolished.

Work continues around the College of the Mainland campus as construction crews prepare to refurbish the Student Center and upgrade the chemistry lab.

Before work can start at the Student Center, the Human Resources Department, TRIO and other student services programs had to vacate their second-floor offices in early June. Also moving temporarily will be the book store. The scheduled move of the book store is expected by month’s end.

The first visible sign of work taking place at the Student Service will be the erecting of a safety barricade around the building as well as part of parking lot A.

The student center makeover will include new exterior walls replaced with metal stud walls, insulation and then brick. When completed, the center will have a contemporary look complete with an outside terrace overlooking the lake plus a canopy and sunlight screens to shade the area and existing glass wall.

Crews last month started clearing out the chemistry lab in the Math and Science Building and work already has started on duct work, utilities, overhead piping and plumbing.

Work on the Physical Education Building continues as crews already have filled in the indoor pool in order to convert the area into a multi-purpose conference center. About 50 construction workers are overseeing duct work, plumbing, piping, window installation and doors frames. The facility is expected to be completed in late October.

Fine Arts roof should start sometime in late June and completed by mid-August.

COM officials, the construction company Bartlett Cocke and architects PBK meet bi-weekly to discuss the progress, any changes and concerns.

The facilities upgrades are part of a $16.25 million maintenance tax note approved by the college’s Board of Trustees.