Construction projects finished in time for fall semester

With the start of the new fall semester fast approaching, the finishing touches are being put on several major construction projects in the Ozarks Technical Community College system.

At the OTC Springfield campus, the major remodeling of ICW 100, which included the creation of 10 new classrooms, a fitness center and storage for the OTC Bookstore, is finished and will be ready when classes resume Aug. 22.

The overhaul also includes several faculty offices and a student study area.

“We continue to expand to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff. We want to stay one step ahead of what everyone needs and the No. 1 need is classroom seats,” said Rob Rector, vice chancellor of administrative services.

Other projects that were completed on the Springfield campus include a new Electronic Media Production laboratory, a science lab for the Middle College program and the conversion of ICW 350 into a developmental learning lab.

The College also completed the renovation of two donated buildings in Lebanon to create the OTC Lebanon Center on Highway MM near St. John’s Hospital. The College had previously been offering classes in the Nelson Education Center in Lebanon.

Classes will be held in Casey Hall, named after Reuben and Mary Lou Casey of San Clemente, Calif., who donated the two buildings and more than 13 acres of land to OTC. The total property is valued at approximately $2.6 million and is the largest gift the college has ever received.  

Casey Hall will be home to 13 new classrooms, computer labs, a student lounge and a student services department in Lebanon. A branch of the OTC Bookstore along with a Center for Workforce Development office will be located in the other building on the campus.

Jeff Kulbach, director of the Lebanon center, said the staff couldn’t wait for the semester to start.

“Over the months, we’ve been closely involved in the initial planning, design, infill construction and set up of the new buildings. We are very excited to be offering residents a new location and expanded classes in this new facility,” he said.

But the completion of these projects does not signal an end to construction projects at OTC.

Up next is the construction of the OTC Table Rock campus Hollister, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2013 and a new facility in Waynesville, which also is expected to be completed about the same time at Table Rock.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of media relations for Ozarks Technical Community College. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu.