SWCC discusses potential projects

The SWCC board of directors discussed a variety of potential projects during a budget workshop on Feb. 25, including new centers, renovations to the baseball and softball fields, access control and video security systems and more.

Skilled trades facility

The first item introduced to the board during the workshop were updates to the master facilities plan top priority projects. These updates were given by Vice President of Instruction Dr. John Franklin.

The updates began with the introduction of a skilled trades facility. Plans focused on the construction of a 14,500 square-foot facility with classrooms and lab space for carpentry and building trades, electrical technology and EMS programs. Initial building plans presented during the workshop included three classrooms and three labs. An ambulance storage garage for SWCC’s EMS program is noted as part of the plans.

The building will join SWCC’s Tech Center I and II, along with the construction of a new parking lot. Design for the building will take place throughout the rest of the year with bidding scheduled for some time in October and November. Construction was estimated to begin in spring 2026 and the majority of the project completed by spring 2027.

Cost for the facility and associated parking lot ran at an estimated $5 million. Funds allocated for the project has already been sorted. The Ace Infrastructure Fund has raised $2 million, the Career Academy Incentive Fund Grant, if obtained, would raise an additional $1 million and using funds from SWCC’s Fund 7 Physical Plant Fund for $2 million.

Baseball and softball field

A four-phase athletic facility improvement plan was presented to the board. The first phase, the installation of synthetic turf on SWCC’s baseball and softball fields alongside new dugouts, was detailed by Dean of Student Services Kim Bishop.

Renderings of the athletic staff’s “dream plan” were presented to the board. Key improvements listed by Bishop include the laser grading of fields, new dugouts, field fencing and lighting, tie-back netting and backstop system and a new main entrance to the complex. Bishop said the plans, if constructed, could help bolster the reputation of SWCC’s athletic institutions.

“It would really set us apart in Southwest Iowa for having one of the premier baseball/softball complexes in this region,” Bishop said.

Probable costs for the project include $2,135,300 for the baseball field’s conversion and $1,233,700 for the softball field. Alongside other site improvements and contingency for design and bid, the anticipated cost was estimated at $4,627,000.

Video security and access control

Vice President of Economic Development Wayne Pantini introduced a variety of projects surrounding sustainable infrastructure, starting with an HVAC system in need of repair in room 180 of the Instructional Center. Construction work was set to start over the summer and hopefully finished before fall classes will begin.

Access control received a new look after SWCC had previously rejected various bids which didn’t fit the college’s requirements. Solutions Management Group, a technology firm based in Davenport, conducted a free assessment of SWCC’s access control and video security systems and presented a new bid to bolster the college’s security.

Pantini outlined three categories of recommendation from SMG. The first category recommended software for handling video security and access control, with Milestone Systems and ProDataKey recommended respectively.

SWCC’s 330 cameras were found by SMG to have several areas of blindspots and recommended a new coverage map along with new NDAA-compliant cameras with higher quality video feeds to update security. New cameras would be able to scan license plates to make identification easier.

Finally, SMG recommended a standard access control system, involving the elimination of physical keys to buildings and moving to a keycard system, was recommended for SWCC. All three recommendations were designed to increase security and create easier audit trails should the college need it.

Support for the new systems from SMG detailed a seven-year life cycle on all cameras and a 10-year life cycle on all door hardware. Both systems were created to be centralized and accessible when needed.

SMG presented a three-year project schedule for installing the new systems. Each year focuses on specific institutions within SWCC. The first year would involve 60 cameras and 18 access doors installed across the Osceola center, ORBIT, the Red Oak center, Ag Science, Transportation, both Tech I and II buildings and the PAC. By the end of the three-year plan, 219 cameras and 71 access doors are estimated to be installed. The offer allows for adjustments to be made within each project plan on a per year basis.

Payment for the systems would be done on an annual investment, increasing with more cameras and doors installed and decreasing when the existing systems reach the end of their life cycle. Different tiers for on-site support and as-needed flex support were detailed.

Pantini made clear why access control is needed at SWCC.

“With lack of access control right now, is when we go into a lockdown situation,” Pantini said. “We don’t have the ability to lock facilities just like that. This would help us better prepare for situations like that and prevent putting our staff at risk.”

New centers

An update to SWCC’s ORBIT Center was given. Applied engineering programs will be moved to the center over the summer. Alongside training credits, non-credential workforce training was mentioned by Pantini as a possible program for the center. He said the facility was “empty” but “beautiful.”

“It’s a fun time to be able to move into that facility,” Pantini said.

Executive Director of the Education Foundation Cait Maitlen presented a project for a “Gold Center” which would be built for the Ringgold County community. SWCC has already partnered with Mount Ayr Community Schools and Ringgold County Development to build the center within Ringgold County Schools. Four career academy programs would be provided for students, automative repair technology, welding technology, nurse assisting and education.

Five local school districts have signed a memorandum of understanding to participate in the project: Mount Ayr, Bedford, Central Decatur, Diagonal and Lamoni are all part of the agreement. Mount Ayr would own and operate the facility, with all career academy programming administered through annual Educational Services Contract agreements.

Maitlen said the opportunities provided by the college could bring stronger education to a rural area which offers a long commute to the Creston campus.

“If you think about the schools listed in the MOU, for most of them... it’s a 45 minute drive to campus,” Maitlen said. “This will help offset that challenge of physically being in the campus doors to be in their program.”

Total project cost was estimated at $3,750,000 for the Ringgold center. Adult education, such as certifications for CPR, OSHA, EMT and more, could be provided at the campus after the traditional school day.