BBCC gives board members, business representatives tour of A-tech

Tour of A-tech building presents community with much to be proud of

At Big Bend Community College, big dreams really do come true with a little perseverance, vision and hope.

In a tour last week of the unfinished Advanced Technology Education Building (A-Tech), representatives from the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and BBCC administration witnessed the future of education at its latest.

"There is nothing in the state of Washington, or for that matter in the country, that can touch the technology capabilities we have here — not even Microsoft," Big Bend Director of Information Systems Russ Beard said.

BBCC has come a long way since it first began planning and fund-raising efforts back in 1996 for the A-Tech project. Every year since then, the college's request for funds from the Legislature for a new capital project were denied. It was not until December of 2000 that BBCC finally made it on the list of state projects.

However, in September of 2001 that fund source dried up when Gov. Gary Locke announced a stop to all state-funded construction projects due to the state's inability to pay off construction bonds.

For this reason, partnerships with local colleges such as Central Washington University and Heritage College have been crucial in continuing the project despite setbacks.

"We would love to get other colleges such as Eastern Washington and City University here too," BBCC President Bill Bonaudi said.

Strategic relationships with other universities have enabled BBCC to come within months of completion of the project, which is expected to be finished later this fall.

Friday morning, walking into the north entrance towards the research library, multiple study rooms and bare electrical outlets await the more than 100 computers that will be available for both public and university use by Jan. 5, 2005.

"I am most excited to see the library…I like to see things go from old to new," sophomore Jolene George said.

At 30,000 square feet, three times the size of the previous library, there is enough space for students to study, surf the Web and receive training on Internet research.

"We need strong, research-capable libraries, and we want to make sure that students know how to use the Internet," Bonaudi said.

Just down the hallway, a conference center with a seating capacity of 400 plus for business meetings and catered events such as weddings, add to the immensity of the building.

"This space is only limited by our imaginations," Beard said.

The conference room, which can be divided into four sections for separate events or smaller groups, contains space for a large-screen TV as well as individual laser microphones. For instance, while one person is speaking, an audience in the same room or across the globe can communicate with them.

"We will be able to interact in real time," Beard said.

Already BBCC is in contact with businesses in Seattle and plans on renting out the conference center for an estimated $600 a day.

"The capabilities just continue to grow and we plan to have every weekend booked for a year," Director of Facilities Ken Johnson said.

In addition to the conference room and research library, the Center for Business and Industry Services is also housed in the A-Tech building.

CBIS will serve as a waiting room and resource center.

And for those occasional coffee or lunch breaks a full-service, restaurant style kitchen with catering options replaces the current cafeteria. A bookstore is going to be constructed in its place.

"Everything in the kitchen is state-of-the-art," Sodexho Manager Denise Dixon said.

The cafeteria will also be open during the evenings to accommodate for students with night classes.

"I don't believe there has ever been so much change," Beard said of the A-tech addition.

From its days as former Larson Air Force Base to one of the, if not THE, state's most up-to-date education facility, BBCC has much to be proud of.

"This building (A-tech) represents a step toward the future for BBCC and the community," said BBCC Public Information Officer Catherine Holestine.