SFCC Renovation

A $2 million plus renovation project is transforming South Florida Community College's Lake Placid Center into a 21st century learning center.

From 1960 to 1972, Center Director Randy Paeplow attended grades one through 12 when the campus served as the school board's Lake Placid School.

Now Paeplow is excited about the many changes to the campus he's attended and worked at over the years.

"It's going to be fantastic; it's going to be a great improvement," he said Thursday.

The goal for the college's satellite campuses is to be able to have a student attend the campus their entire time at SFCC without having to go to the Avon Park campus, Paeplow said.

"We've lacked a science lab; now we have that so a student, if they took general education requirements and didn't go into specialties, could actually attend Lake Placid for two and a half years and get their AA degree," Paeplow said. "The only time they would step on the Avon Park campus would be for graduation if they chose to."

The construction is being done in two phases so classes can continue in one part of the campus while renovation work is being done in another area.

SFCC Vice President for Administrative Services Glenn Little said the remodeling and renovation project is going smoothly so far.

"The architect, Suzanne Hunnicutt of Chastain-Skillman, Inc., worked closely with our faculty and staff to finalize plans for the work in October and Mathews Construction of Tampa, Inc. began the construction activities in mid-November," he said.

The construction cost estimate for all work is $2,393,042, and the project is scheduled for completion in late April.

Funding for the project is from a state appropriation specifically for the project.

Building 100, the older two-story building, is the target for most of the renovation activities, but the entire site will be impacted.

The student learning improvements include:

• Upgraded data capabilities throughout Building 100, including smart podiums in all classrooms.

• Two classrooms in Building 100 to be fully outfitted with computers and Internet access.

• Conversion of the former band room into a lecture hall with fixed seating.

• Conversion of the former home economics classroom into a natural sciences suite. Initially, biology and human anatomy and physiology courses will be taught there with the possible addition of chemistry and other science courses in the future.

• Finishes in building 100 will be updated, including new flooring, fresh paint on walls, new acoustical ceilings throughout and new marker boards to replace the many chalkboards still in classrooms.

The renovation work will also provide better access for those with disabilities.

An elevator is being installed within Building 100 to provide access to second-floor classrooms and labs. Restrooms will be renovated to meet current ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, including enhanced wheelchair access.

Also, a new central heating, ventilating and air conditioning system will go in Building 100 and in a portion of Building 200, replacing many smaller and inefficient independent units. New energy efficient lighting fixtures will be installed throughout Building 100.

The SFCC Lake Placid Center is located at 500 E. Interlake Blvd. in Lake Placid.

In the late 1980s the SFCC Foundation gained possession of the five-building campus from the school district and the SFCC Lake Placid Center opened.

The college took possession of the campus from the Foundation about four years ago, Paeplow said, which enabled the college to obtain state funding for the improvements and remodeling.