The Bladen Community College Board of Trustees, at their last Monday meeting, gave final approval to a plan that calls for $510,653 in improvements to the college's East Arcadia Campus.

Preliminary plans for the project had already been given the green light by the board at an earlier meeting.

The renovation and expansion project, though approved as one program, will include several separate and distinct parts.

One part of the project will entail the conversion of the existing shop area at the campus and one classroom into a large cosmetology teaching lab. In addition the existing classroom building will get additional classrooms and restrooms.

Another important part of the project, according to BCC Vice President of Fiscal Affairs Lloyd Horne, is the construction of a large multipurpose building.

"Perhaps even more important to the students accustomed to parking in the mud, the project includes a paved parking lot with ample parking spaces to accommodate the students," Horne explained.

Horne described the building program "as a significant expansion" and said that it should accommodate the growing number of regional students attracted to the East Arcadia Campus.

Since the college opened its East Arcadia Campus in the 1990s, more and more students from surrounding counties have elected to attend courses there. Its strategic location within a few miles of three other counties-Columbus, Pender and Brunswick-has made it easily accessible to students from those counties.

That, according to Horne, has played a big role in the enrollment growth at the campus.

"With this expansion, the college (BCC) will be able to expand class offerings and the additional cosmetology training lab will provide immediate vocational training opportunities," he added.

The following contracts and other financial expenses associated with the project were awarded by the board's action:

* Adams & Britt Construction, general contractors, $184,628;

* McGirk Plumbing Company, $31,182;

* Bass Air Conditioning Company, $25,404;

* McLaughin Electric Company, $58,350;

* Bensen Grading and Paving, $85,602;

* Adams & Britt Construction, interior renovations, $52,487; and

* Contingencies, fees, and reimbursements, $73,000.

-30-