Rowan-Cabarrus Community College breaks ground on Building 400

Rowan County commissioners joined Rowan-Cabarrus Community College trustees and faculty and staff members today at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new North Campus building.

Building 400, a two-story, 38,000-square-foot structure, will be the first classroom facility built on RCCC’s North Campus in more than 30 years. RCCC President Carol Spalding, RCCC Board Chairman Ray Paradowski and Rowan County Commission Chair Carl Ford offered remarks at the ceremony.

“Building 400 is the first, major capital investment in RCCC’s North Campus in several years,” Spalding said. “A combination of state bond funds for construction and Rowan County funds is making this building possible. It will enable RCCC to serve our community even better.”

Building 400 will feature a dramatic three-story lobby and mark a significant shift in RCCC architecture. In addition, the building will have several environmentally conscious or “green” characteristics. Water run-off from the roof and the adjacent parking lot will be detained for natural removal of impurities before moving to a nearby stream. Low-flow fixtures in the restrooms and closed-loop mechanical systems will reduce water use in the building. Day lighting and highly-efficient heating and cooling systems will conserve energy. Many components in the building will be made of renewable and recyclable materials.

Building 400 will house RCCC’s Continuing Education Department; community program facilities; classrooms for art, computer, GED, pre-college and general purpose classes; law enforcement and EMT training facilities; a gym; a study lounge; and faculty/staff offices.

“Our communities’ first responders to emergencies will be trained in Building 400. Adults in need of customized training to re-start their careers will be served in Building 400. The community room will give local organizations a superb place to meet. This building will have a real community focus,” Spalding said.

Yates-Chreitzberg-Hughes Architects of Concord designed the 400 Building. Summit Developers Inc., of Salisbury is the contractor. The building will take approximately one year to construct. To see the architect’s rendering of Building 400, go to www.rowancabarrus.edu/information/bldg400.html.

Immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony, RCCC trustees held their March meeting. Spalding provided an update on RCCC’s planned facility on the North Carolina Research Campus, in Kannapolis. She reported Gov. Beverly Perdue’s proposed state budget includes $3.3 million for RCCC in annual funding to cover the NCRC building’s lease and some operating expenses.

RCCC has signed a 20-year lease agreement with Castle & Cooke Inc., for the 62,332 square-foot building. A groundbreaking is anticipated sometime in May.

Despite the good news concerning funds for construction, Spalding also discussed the college’s current operating budget shortfall, caused by state funding reductions, and RCCC’s plans to address the shortfall through a reorganization process.

“We are looking at ways to reorganize the college to achieve greater efficiencies,” Spalding said. “RCCC has seen its enrollment grow by 17 percent over the last year, while our state funding for operations has been cut 5.5 percent. We anticipate similar enrollment growth in 2010 and beyond, so we must take steps now to be more efficient while strengthening some key areas of the college for the future.

“As in any reorganization process, unfortunately, some positions and individuals will be affected. We’re working now to identify those as quickly as possible,” Spalding said.

According to Spalding, the reorganization will include leaving some currently open positions vacant, strategically assessing the college’s future employment needs, and significantly enhancing RCCC’s human resources and IT functions. To handle the college’s anticipated enrollment growth, it’s also likely faculty members will teach more and larger classes.

RCCC Board Chairman Ray Paradowski expressed his support for the reorganization and concern for those who might be affected.