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BTN News Current News New Building Construction at Rio Hondo College
BTN News Current News New Building Construction at Rio Hondo College
| New Building Construction at Rio Hondo College |
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The Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier is moving forward on several new construction projects including a new Library and Learning Resource Center. The projects are being funded with a combination of state funds and a $245 million general obligation bond that was passed in 2004 in order to pay for a five-year facilities overhaul program. The project also includes new and modernized infrastructure such as chilled and hot water utility piping, electrical and communications network wiring throughout the campus. “Discussions about increasing and improving parking at the campus are a part of every Facilities Master Plan management meeting,” said Dr. Rose Marie Joyce, President of Rio Hondo College. “As stewards of the Bond money allocated through Measure A, we are committed to creating a campus that can be an educational resource for the entire community. Convenient access both to the campus, and to programs once you are on campus, is foundation on which the entire Facilities Master Plan is built.” The project will be under a Project Labor Agreement with the LA/OC Building Trades Council. “We are excited to get these much needed construction projects underway,” said André Quintero, member of the Rio Hondo Community College District Board of Trustees. The Building Trades have a great help in problem solving issues on this construction program and have been very professional in helping us to educate our staff to insure proper implementation of the Project Labor Agreement.” The multi-million dollar the Building Access and Excellence Building Program is part of the Rio Hondo College Campus Master Plan, that was approved on September 20, 2006. The plan creates a conceptual blueprint for the campus’ buildings, landscape, walkways, and roadways. The District’s plan places particular emphasis on open spaces, accessibility and improved parking facilities. “Convenient accessibility has always been, and continues to be the focus of the renovation and renewal project at Rio Hondo College,” said Gary Mendez, President of the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees. “We are pleased to see this draft of the plan and I am confident that, working with the administration, the Facilities Master Plan will meet or exceed our expectations. This Board understands that students, faculty, and community members need to be able to access all the programs safely and conveniently, and that is our top priority.” “Our students deserve the highest quality facilities,” said Quintero “We would have that if not for the professional, skilled crafts men and women of the Building Trades Unions.” Additionally, a new $27million physical education complex at Rio Hondo College that will replace an aging sports facility built in the 1960s has taken another step toward reality with the hiring of a developer. Rio Hondo officials announced that the college’s board of trustees hired Telacu Construction Management Services to oversee construction of the new 42,000-square-foot facility. Telacu will take on two major functions on the project,. First, the developer will manage the general contractor for the project “so that they can provide oversight on behalf of the district,” he said. The college’s existing fitness center and gymnasium will be renovated as part of the plan. The new facility will include two new swimming pools, said Steve Lohr, director of facilities services. “It’s a priority,” he added. “The building is outdated and it doesn’t meet our current needs. And the condition is such that it makes more sense economically to demolish part of it and build a new building. Construction on the new complex is expected to begin in the 2008-09 fiscal year. |
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