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Highlands Today

Renovated Administrative Offices Open At SFCC

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

From left: Maintenance workers Nat Misdahl and Alan Jackson move furniture to the newly renovated administration offices on Friday at South Florida Community College.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: February 2, 2008

AVON PARK — As South Florida Community College administrators unpacked boxes, they couldn't help but admire their new offices' views of Lake Glenada.

"The view of the lake is spectacular," said Leana Revell, vice president for educational and student services. "I think we will all enjoy that every day."

The new administrative suites are taking over the renovated building that formerly housed science classrooms and laboratories as part of a $3 million project to remodel four buildings on the Highlands campus.

Norm Stephens, president of SFCC, said centralizing the offices of the college's vice presidents and president will lend itself to more teamwork.

"The idea is to get the people together who work together on a regular basis," Stephens said.

The opening of the Health and Science Education Center in August freed up space for the renovations in the buildings formerly used by the health and science departments. The completion of the project will create more classrooms, office space and a larger board room.

The project began Oct. 1 and will continue in phases through May 30. Each renovated building will be reoccupied as soon as that phase of construction has ended.

The first phase of the construction was completed Friday, on time.

"When we started this project, we said we wanted to move in Feb. 1, and we are moving in Feb. 1," Stephens said.

Frank Hughes, project superintendent with Mathews Construction, said demolition will start next week on the building that was previously occupied by the president and vice presidents, Building C, which will become a board room and offices.

As maintenance employees moved the furniture into the offices, administrators unpacked their boxes and organized their new offices.

Revell said she is excited her office will be outfitted with a SMART board, which she plans to use during meetings in her office and for practicing presentations.

Bill Shaffer, vice president for planning and institutional effectiveness, said he is eager for the new board room to be completed.

"I think that building will be tremendous for receptions," Shaffer said. "We will have a foyer for displays and receiving guests, a big board room and a nice patio. It will be a big change and a great centerpiece for the college."

The renovation of that building should be complete by June.

Renovations to the former board room also were completed Friday. The building is now the home of the purchasing department and mailroom.

Also undergoing renovations is Building T, which is located on the southeast corner of campus, and formerly housed the nursing program, which moved into the first floor of the Health and Science Education Center.

It will become the new home of Corporate and Continuing Education programs, which provide training that helps businesses and individuals develop better workforce skills.

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