SCCC Board Approves Contract for Colvin Family Center for Allied Health

By Rachel Coleman

$4.2 million job set to begin immediately

Seward County Community College will begin construction on the Colvin Family Center for Allied Health before year’s end, following unanimous board approval of a $4.2 million contract. The SCCC Trustees meeting Monday night contained a single agenda item, that the board approve a contract with Coonrod & Associates at a contractor’s construction budget of $4,156,433.00, with a contingency for change orders of $103,911.00, totaling to a contract sum of $4,260,344.00. Board member Dustin Ormiston made the motion seconded by Marvin Chance, Jr., which carried 6-0.

SCCC Vice President of Finance and Operations Dennis Sander indicated that work is scheduled to begin on Dec. 3.

“It’s a pleasure to watch the efforts of the SCCC Foundation and the community itself joining together to make this state-of-the-art Allied Health center a reality.”

Stakeholders and the community can witness the first step at a groundbreaking set for 11 a.m. Dec. 4, at the site of the new building on SCCC’s main campus.

College president, Dr. Ken Trzaska said the event reflects the college’s commitment to its core values.

“Our forward motion in this work has required persistence and patience, and we will celebrate that together Dec. 4,” he said. “The board of trustees and Foundation have shown integrity and honor  for the trust of the public and our donors as they worked through the details of funding and quality construction. And we see our values of student success and valuing others in this vision for the next 50 years at Seward.”

SCCC Foundation President Duane Bozarth expressed elation at reaching this landmark in the capital campaign, “Students First, Community Always.”

“It’s super,” he said. “We had it all along, and that’s due to the work of many people. There are a lot of ‘thank yous’ for the community.”

Sander, who coordinated the planning review, bids, and deadlines, said collaboration played an important role.

“We knew it was imperative for the architect to gather input from the main stakeholders,” he said. “Allied Health dean Dr. Suzanne Campbell and her faculty, along with board members from Southwest Medical Center, health care providers, and foundation and college board members and SCCC team members, contributed to the process. Making that strong connection with the community means we will provide top-notch graduates to our local hospital and the region.”

Chief Development Officer Tano Tovilla anticipates the groundbreaking with excitement — not just for the college, but as Sander pointed out, the entire High Plains and Oklahoma Panhandle regions.

“This is a milestone for the college, and I think it’s the perfect time to start celebrating the 50th anniversary that’s coming in 2019,” he said. “Our community is making big things happen at SCCC.”

SCCC Board Chair Ron Oliver, too, is looking ahead.

“I think it’s a great thing that we’re moving forward with this training facility for the nurses and health care professionals.  It’s been long needed,” he said. “I’m excited about the contract. I know Coonrod & Associates do great work. I’m looking forward to completion.”

More details about the Dec. 4 groundbreaking ceremonies will be released after the Thanksgiving holiday break.