NWC News Desk

Open House unveils four NWC renovations

Posted September 8, 2010
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POWELL, Wyo. - Northwest College will showcase its new educational spaces and recent renovations in an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.

The celebration encompasses four building projects funded with NWC budget reserves and major maintenance funds from the State of Wyoming.

The largest and longest-lasting renovation undertaking was a 5,316-square foot addition to Hinckley Library. The new space expands the library’s study areas and creates a late-night study area. It provides more room for library instruction and tutoring services, in addition to accommodating changes in technology and library holdings. The cost was $2,167,000. Entrance to the library is from the campus mall.

The old dance room in the Nelson Performing Arts Center was transformed into Audio Recording and Broadcast Studios in a second renovation project costing $726,000. The space is now the home of NWC-TV and the college’s new noncommercial FM radio station, KNWT, both operated by NWC broadcast students. It will be used by students in the Music Technology, webcasting and TV Broadcast Production and Radio Broadcasting programs. The studios can be accessed from the east or south entrances to the Nelson Performing Arts Center.

The third project gives agroecology and other agriculture-related programs a boost in lab space with the construction of the Crop and Soil Sciences Lab/Greenhouse. Located just off the northeast corner of the Fagerberg Building, it replaces the greenhouse formerly attached to Hinckley Library. The facility will be used to promote year-round research activities and increase hands-on activities for students during laboratory times. The cost was $299,000.  The greenhouse entrance faces the Cabre Gym parking lot.

The college unveils its new “front door” in the fourth renovation. The south entrance to the Orendorff Building received a facelift to create a more welcoming and obvious entry way to the college. The Admissions Office also benefited in the remodel with a new entrance to create better traffic flow and a more attractive, functional reception area. Cost was $419,000.

Total cost of all four projects was $3,611,000. Groathouse Construction of Cody was the construction manager for the Hinckley Library remodel. High Tech Construction from Billings, Mont., handled the other three projects. A majority of construction dollars went to subcontractors in Park County and elsewhere in Wyoming.

Campus maps and information will be available at each remodel site. Visitors can start at any of the sites. Those who visit all four are eligible to win $25 gift certificates.