A groundbreaking ceremony for Muskegon Community College’s new Science Center was held Sept. 3, at noon in the Stevenson Center courtyard on campus. MCC President Dale K. Nesbary emceed the groundbreaking ceremony.
Construction of the 19,192 sq. ft. structure will begin later in September, with the building set to open for classes in fall 2015. The $9.6 million project includes a second phase – renovation of 16,780 sq. ft. of existing science facilities – in 2015. The overall project will serve a combined 18 academic programs at MCC.
Designed by Kingscott & Associates and BMA Architects, the Science Center is being built by Clark Construction Co. of Lansing, MI, and provides the college with much-needed science-related academic space.
The Science Center will house six laboratories; a grow room with an indoor greenhouse serving biology classes; a cadaver lab for anatomy and physiology courses; an undergraduate research room for MCC faculty-student research projects; a student resource room for hands-on studies and tutoring; the lab manager’s office and two prep rooms; the Life Sciences Department Office; and additional storage and recycling spaces.
Founded in 1926, MCC moved to its current location in the late 1960s. Since then, its student population has grown from 2,000 to 5,000 credit-bearing students necessitating the expansion, explained President Nesbary.
“Muskegon Community College needs to compete on a national and global level,” said Nesbary. “In addition to meeting crucial student needs, this expansion will help attract and retain talented individuals and equip them with the science skills to make them both more effective employees and informed residents, critical to improving the overall health of our communities.”
The cost of the $9.6 million Science Center project is divided between MCC and the state, with the latter responsible for $4,646,600 and MCC funding the remainder.
The Science Center represents the first of four major construction/renovation projects at MCC over the next two years. The college has started planning for a new Health Center, an Arts Center and for a site in downtown Muskegon. https://www.muskegoncc.edu/build