In October of 2016, Lamar Community College began a controlled maintenance project on the large and small lecture halls located in its Bowman Building. While planning for the project began over two years ago, it was completed in early May and is now open for use.
LCC received State funding for the project, totaling nearly $650,000, largely for the use of asbestos abatement in the large and small lecture hall. While undisturbed asbestos poses no health problems, the controlled maintenance project worked to resolve the underlying issue while giving each space a much-needed upgrade.
Sean Lirley, Director of Physical Plant at LCC, remarked on the upgrades to the building: “The removal of the older ceiling allowed us to upgrade our lighting fixtures and gives us an opportunity to enhance technology infrastructure for the future”.
Key features of the renovation include a completely new lighting system, larger and more comfortable seating, and an improved handicap accessibility.
A new LED lighting system has significantly improved efficiency and enhanced the lighting levels of the space. A computer system was installed in the large lecture hall, with touch screen controllers in each hall that can control different groups of lights or the percentage of brightness.
For many, one of the most exciting features is the improved seating; the chairs in the lecture halls are now larger and more comfortable than before. With the need for wider seats and additional space, a few seats were removed from each hall. Prior to the renovations, the large lecture hall could seat 182 and the small lecture hall could seat 96. With the improved seating, they now have 141 and 58 fixed seats, respectively.
Prior to the renovation, the small lecture hall lacked a truly handicap accessible seating space, so a spacious platform with railing was added to the top level of the hall. Removable companion chairs are also available in both halls.
The project design and engineering team was led by HGF Architects out of Pueblo, Colorado. The abatement project development and oversight team was Occupational Health Technologies, also of Pueblo. Risk Removal of Timnath, Colorado, completed the asbestos removal.
Several local contractors also worked on the project including MonCor, LLC as the General Contractor for the renovation with additional work completed by Maggart & Sons Construction, Electra Pro, Parker Mechanical, and Cook’s Floor and Wall.
Lamar Community College would like to thank all involved.
“Thank you Connie (HGF Architects) and Cory (MonCor) and all the sub-contractors for making our vision a reality,” said Lirley.
Plans are underway for a grand opening celebration to be held in the fall.
