Midwest City, Okla. – Dirt mounds, backhoes and lots of activity is what you will see all over the Rose State College campus.
Less than a year after work began on campus improvements the community is already benefitting from the first renovation project funded by a $22 million bond issue. The aquatic center has re-opened and is serving citizens from 4-year-olds to water aerobics for older adults.
The 15-year bond issue approved by voters in 2013 is also paying for renovation of the academic buildings. Currently, we are approximately 50% complete with the building mall remodels. Upgrades to Humanities and Fine Arts have been completed. Right now the Business building is undergoing a facelift to include expanded restrooms, LED lighting, a new fire sprinkler system and new ceilings, paint and flooring to classrooms. The building will be ready for students by fall 2015. Engineering Technology and Science and Math are due for upgrades next.
Learning Center Update
The Learning Resources Center is officially out of its “shell” while a top to bottom renovation is underway. All 12,000 linear feet of collections once housed inside the LRC have been moved out while the entire building is being gutted. The finished product will offer 15,000 more square feet, a new roof, a café, knowledge bar, computer labs, writing labs and study seating. That project is expected to last 14 months.
IT Upgrade
Soon when you sit anywhere on campus you will instantly be connected to a robust Wi-Fi system. The implementation of an enhanced capacity wireless internet system will increase coverage across the college. Those upgrades will be finished by June.
“All our campus projects are on target to be completed by the fall of 2016,” stated Richard Andrews, director of operational efficiency. “We have taken on a significant amount of work and are looking forward to serving more students with the upgrades in the future.”