BLUEFIELD, Va.—Capital improvement projects were the topics of discussion when Bluefield College’s board of trustees gathered on campus for its annual spring meeting in April.

During the two-day session, the BC governing body gave the go-ahead for renovations to Lansdell Hall to create an integrated administrative center for students; analyzed plans to construct a new clock tower sign and message board on the east end of campus; continued to explore the possibility of constructing a townhouse complex to increase student housing; and celebrated a $1 million gift to support the first phase of construction of a new Campus and Community Wellness Center.

Bluefield College's Lansdell Hall is set for renovations to be completed this fall. (Bluefield College photo)

“The new BC Central will provide a place where students can, in one location, address matters pertaining to registration, financial aid and their student accounts,” said president David Olive. “It should enhance our service to students.”

Trustees also reviewed plans for a proposed clock tower sign and LED message board. Once fully approved, the sign will be on the east end of campus near the intersection of College and Stadium drives and will feature three electronic LED panels for marketing BC news and events. Assisting with the proposed project are alumni Garry Jones and Steve Nolley and local businessmen Bud Acken and Brad Ayers.

The board continued discussing a proposed townhouse complex for campus, particularly funding for the project. The school has been considering expanding student housing since the fall of 2010 when residential population began to reach capacity despite the construction of East River Residence Hall in 2009. If approved and once fully constructed, the townhouse project will consist of two three-story four-unit townhouses on the southwest corner of campus with each unit housing 10 students and each building housing 40 students for a total capacity of 80 students.

Trustees have reviewed sketches of the proposed complex and applied for funding with the USDA.

In other business, the board celebrated the announcement of a $1 million challenge grant from the High I. Shott Jr. Foundation for the first phase of construction of a new Campus and Community Wellness Center. The CCWC is a proposed $14 million facility to be constructed in three separate phases on the east end of campus where the Dome Gymnasium currently sits. Once completed the building will total more than 65,000 square feet and house a 1,000-seat intercollegiate competition gymnasium, a recreation gymnasium, an indoor walking track, an athletic training center, classrooms, offices and a natatorium.

Initial discussions regarding a similar facility began in 2008 with the town of Bluefield. Since then, the cooperative plan with the town has dissolved, and the college has been busy redesigning the project. With new plans and sketches in place, the board approved fundraising for the first phase of the CCWC in the fall of 2011. With nearly $500,000 already in hand before the $1 million Shott gift, the school hopes to reach $4 million by December 2012 to begin phase one construction.

In other business, trustees endorsed the administration’s pursuit of accreditation for a master’s degree in education.

Chris Shoemaker (cshoemaker@bluefield) is director of marketing and public relations at Bluefield College.

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