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By DENEESHA EDWARDS
The Dispatch
May 7, 2008 A 20,000-square-foot facility that's planned for Davidson County Community College is one step closer to being constructed after a groundbreaking Tuesday.
More than 50 people, including DCCC administrators, faculty and students, local and state representatives and supporters attended the ceremony for the new conference, training and technology center.
The college paid for the project with the help of a bond referendum approved in 2005 by Davidson County voters.
"The reason we have this building is a result of our county commissioners recognizing that the community college of Davidson County has value and that we make a difference in the lives of individuals, and that education is of value," said Dr. Mary Rittling, DCCC president. "By having a community college in the community, we provide opportunities for economic development and life-long learning opportunities for all individuals in our community."
The technology center will house the DCCC Workforce and Continuing Education Division, which includes the DCCC Small Business Center. The center will also provide space for the college's Information Technology Department, which is now in the library. Another part of the project will include the expansion of the library in the Grady Love Learning Resource Center after the IT department relocates.
"Technology is certainly what we want to concentrate on," said N.C. Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson. "The Internet is just changing the world. This addition is just wonderful out here. I truly believe DCCC is a big aspect of Davidson County."
MBAJ of Raleigh is the architectural firm, and Davie Construction Co. of Clemmons is the general contractor for the center. The whole construction project is valued at nearly $4.2 million, said Larry Hamilton, director of construction and renovation at the college.
"It's going to be a nice, long structure with good width," Hamilton said.
The two-story building will include large, versatile spaces, including a 96-seat auditorium and large conference areas that can hold more than 200 people and can be used by the campus or the community. The main purpose of the building is to allow the college to expand its technology program by adding more classrooms.
"It's wonderful," said Thom Hege, DCCC board of trustees chairman, about the building. "It's a new era for Davidson County Community College. This is going to be the new focal point of campus."
The center will help draw more people to the campus, and the college will be able to serve the community better, Hege said.
The center will literally become the center of campus after a new entrance will be built on the north side of Old Greensboro Road. The road that is curved will become straight, and when entering the campus the technology center will be the building everyone will see, Rittling said. She also said a second entrance will be built to help improve traffic flow to the north side of campus.
"The road is going to look straight at the building," she said. "It's going to draw you in."
Rittling said an important aspect of the building is the central location and the services it will be able to provide for students and the community. It's estimated to be completed by fall of 2009.
"It's pretty exciting," she said. "It's going to look beautiful."
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