Green River’s new look taking shape

Construction continues on Green River Community College's two newest additions – the Student Life Center and the Trades Complex across the Auburn campus.

September 24, 2014 7:06 pm
Construction on the new Green River Community College Student Life Building has dominated a large part of the campus area next to the library. Seen in the distance is the new Trades Complex
Construction on the new Green River Community College Student Life Building has dominated a large part of the campus area next to the library. Seen in the distance is the new Trades Complex

BY ROSS COYLE
rcoyle@kentreporter.com

Construction continues on Green River Community College’s two coming additions – the Student Life Center and the Trades Complex across the Auburn campus.

According to Sam Ball, director of capital projects at the college, construction has been “typical,” without many delays.

“The Trades project has been pretty clean because it was an undeveloped site,” Ball said. “(The) Student Life (Center) has had more complexities because they found some things that were put in back in the ’60s when the college was first built.”

Such infrastructure includes unmarked electrical, water and sewer fixtures that, because of much more relaxed building codes, at the time were never recorded.

“But that’s expected,” Ball said. “We’ve had that before. Both projects are moving along and are where we expect them to be at this time.”

“If we are able to hold to the schedule, we’re still planning to move into those new facilities next summer and have them ready for fall quarter.”

The key, Ball said, will be the weather not impeding key points in construction, specifically when welding crews have to be operational. If they are delayed, that could impact the sequencing down the road. But Ball said that rain is something they anticipated when they first planned construction. He just hopes the weather stays out of the way.

“Pray for rain at night, dry during the day. Do a rain dance, whatever works for you,” he said.

The new 56,000-square-foot Student Life Center will replace the Lindbloom Student Center, which has outgrown its capacity since it was built in 1971. The new building is to feature a number of new areas, including those being moved from the Lindbloom Center. In addition to the bookstore, stage and dining area, the new building will have a computer bar, a fireside lounge, a larger fitness center and a multicultural center.

The Trades Complex will allow students to be trained on modern technology-based industrial equipment, create teaching spaces that augment vocational laboratories and improve student access to programs.

Both buildings are scheduled to go online by the 2015 school year. Find out more about them online at www.greenriver.edu/about-us/facilities-master-plan/building-projects.htm.