Sheldon, Iowa — Ground was broken Monday at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon for a $9-million renovation and expansion project on the college campus.
The project will allow the college to expand it’s Health Science curriculum, as well as accept more students into NCC’s healthcare programs.
Several area dignitaries, along with NCC staff, were on hand for Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, and heard Sheldon Development Director Curt Strouth congratulate NCC President Dr. Alethea Stubbe and the NCC staff on the construction of the new facility.
(As above) “On behalf of the City of Sheldon and the Sheldon Chamber & Development Corporation, I want to just take a moment and congratulate Dr. Stubbe, the NCC Board of Trustees and the whole NCC family, a lot of you sitting here today in attendance, for the launch of this project, a very exciting project, obviously. (It will be) another great addition to the NCC campus, the Community of Sheldon and the northwest Iowa region, as you continue to invest in the training and education of the youth in our area.”
After giving a brief history of NCC and all of the school’s name changes over the past years, Sheldon Mayor Greg Geels offered his congratulations on the project.
(As above) “On behalf of the City of Sheldon, it is my distinct privilege to extend our congratulations and to be able to celebrate another milestone in the continued growth and development of this institution. To those of you that serve this college in its various capacities, I want to encourage you to keep on striving to carry out your mission. To be a progressive, learning college, rapidly responding to the global needs of a changing community. The investment being made to provide this expansion of the Health Science facility is evidence of that commitment and promises to benefit all of us who call this corner of the state home. We wish you well and we offer our deepest gratitude for expanding the educational opportunities in this region.”
Northwest Iowa Community College President Dr. Alethea Stubbe talked a little about the construction project.
(As above) “Key features include a simulation area designed as four pods around a center nursing station, kind of like a virtual hospital, and I have to credit all the different faculty and staff who had input into this building…it is going to be beautiful. That virtual hospital setting, large classrooms, dedicated space for CNA, a virtual simulation space for EMS. The Rad Tech x-ray equipment will be repositioned in its own area. Of course, on the second floor we have lots of room for growth and expansion later. About half of that will be undesignated space for future growth, and twenty offices on the second floor…what a view that will be… will allow staff to collaborate and integrate instruction. And of course, it will all be in our school colors, nicely coordinated. It will truly be a beacon of hope for the future, as we prepare even more healthcare workers for the surrounding communities.”
In presenting the Golden Shovel for the groundbreaking to Dr. Stubbe, SCDC Ambassadors Chairman Skip Tanner recalled his days as a student at the college.
(As above) “As a graduate of NITC, way back in the day with the Marketing program and Mr. (Ron) Plum…I think I was one of his first students when he got here, and he always tells me I was his worst one because I’d argue with him all the time, from small business to book. We had a great time and we still get along great now, but anyway…Alethea, like I said, as a past graduate and as the chairman of the Sheldon Ambassadors, I would like to present you with the golden shovel today.”
The project is beginning with the construction of the new building, after which the renovations will be completed on the existing Health Science facilities, with the entire project scheduled for completion by December of next year.
The photo below is the architect’s conception of the final product……
