Keeping McHenry County College Facilities In Good Condition

McHenry County College Board is considering renovations and expansion possibilities for at least one building, known as Building "B". This two level building was constructed in 1991 and is a link between Building "A" to the west and Building "C" to the east.

This building contains classrooms, a kitchen, a large dining hall and two smaller dining rooms, the 350 seat conference center, the student book store, a classroom and administrative and support space. The second floor provides for musical practice rooms for group and individual usage and offices and administrative support space.

Consideration is being given to renovation of a portion of the building to provide for expanding the culinary arts program. The plan is to be able to expand the cafeteria area in order to accommodate a restaurant for culinary students to service. According to information provided at a recent meeting of the Facilities Planning Committee of the MCC Board, the plans include being able to accommodate conferences in the area. This is considered an ideal situation for giving the culinary students experience.

The plans for the future of the program include possibilities for future expansion so that the program could accommodate about 300 culinary students.

It is expected that a number of grants could be considered for such things as light replacements, thermal efficiency, and other upgrades for the building. More budget planning will be needed along with a time-line for developing a master plan for the campus.

Along the same lines of expansion for the college, the board is also looking at the needs of the present buildings.  A firm has been on campus taking inventory of the buildings and contents along with the dates they were built and the condition of the facilities as well as the condition of the contents such as carpeting, floor tiles, ceilings, boilers, cooling equipment, electrical and plumbing equipment.

The company retained to conduct the survey, ISES Corporation of Georgia, is providing recommendations for the Board of Trustees to consider.

At the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees, Thursday, it was decided to seek bids for an architectural firm, not to design a new building, but instead to handle the needs of the upgrades of equipment and interiors in the buildings as they become necessary