Dateline: November 21, 2002

CC breaks ground on new residence hall

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon College officials broke ground last Thursday on a new dormitory complex which will increase the number of beds for on-campus students by 37 percent.

The new facility, located on the southwestern side of the campus along Clarendon Avenue will house 80 students and will be set up as suites. Rooms will be open to the outside, and every two rooms will share a bathroom. The facility will house both men and women.

CC President Myles Shelton said if the new residence hall gets filled with 80 new students, it would increase overall enrollment on the home campus by 20 to 25 percent.

CC currently has a problem housing existing students with more signing up to live on campus than there are beds available, and the shortage was expected to worsen without the new facility. A new Lady Bulldog softball program is expected to attract between 25 and 30 new students, an Equine Science program will draw about 40 students, and the addition of Intercollegiate Rodeo should bring in 50 to 60 students.

The $2 million facility is being financed with revenue bonds, which are paid for by student fees. No tax dollars will are being expended on the project.

Officials expect the residence hall to be completed by the fall 2003 semester.

Also on Thursday, CC Regents met in a called session and gave approval for the construction of a new equine center to be built on the western side of campus along US 287. All regents voted in favor of the center except Jim Blackerby, who abstained.

The center will be a metal building, 230’ wide and 320’ long, and will cost an estimated $728,873.

The cost does not include stands, stalls, or arena equipment. It will take an additional $250,000 to bring the center up to a fully operational status.