Black Hawk College students started off the school year with new facilities at both campuses.
Students are benefiting from the facility investments as they learn, socialize and study in areas designed with their needs in mind.
Two August ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrated the completion of these major construction projects.
Building 1 at the Quad-Cities Campus
On Aug. 29, dozens of people gathered in the new courtyard to celebrate the Building 1 addition and renovations.
During the ribbon cutting, BHC president Tim Wynes noted that one thing he kept hearing from students on the first day of class was, “Is this for us?” The answer was, “Yes.”
“They were just blown away,” he said. “What this building addition says, what this renovation says, is we’re as competitive, as good as any other college.”
The 20,000-square-foot, two-story addition features eight large classrooms. The new courtyard is the perfect space for outdoor learning, studying, kicking back and events.
Recent Building 1 renovations included updating existing classrooms, faculty offices and the upper lobby. Earlier work resulted in a fresh look for the Financial Aid, Bursar’s and Enrollment Services offices in 2018.
The new courtyard and sitting areas complement Building 1’s other offerings well. Building 1 also houses the Hawk’s Hub bookstore, the library, the Tutoring Center and the Career Services Center.
Equine Facilities at the East Campus
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was Aug. 22 for the new, state-of-the-art equine facilities.
“What an opportunity to continue to grow this program, what a great environment for the horses, what a great learning environment,” BHC Board of Trustees chair Fritz Larsen said during the event.
The new, 20,000-square-foot building increased the amount of horse stalls at East Campus by 36%, making the total horse stall count 94.
To prepare for the new building, a construction team demolished the former, smaller Building 6.
The Ag Pavilion was renovated, with some stalls removed to allow part of the building to return to its previous capacity as a small arena.
The construction work also included adding a new livestock area.
The new and renovated facilities help enhance agriculture and equine programs and community events at the East Campus.