Despite having $60 million set aside from the Measure E bond for a new Science and Allied Health Center and $22 million in total for the Physical Education complex, the athletic department now has an opportunity to submit input to steer things in its favor.

The planning phase of the Measure E projects has commenced with a forum taking place on Monday, detailing the process, planning parameters, and background of the bond program for college administrators.

For Contra Costa College, Measure E means the campus will see the construction of a new science and allied health center or modernize current spaces housing the science and allied health educational programs according to a Bond Project Budget list complied by the district.

The campus will also see a new campus operations building or modernize an existing one.

Also, modernizing the Gym Annex Building, Gymnasium, Men’s and Women’s locker rooms and other physical education facilities is set to transpire with accordance of Measure E.

The Advocate criticized the district on the allocation process of its three colleges in the May 13, 2015 issue and maintains that position.

The allocation metric for CCC was not based on Full Time Equivalent Student (FTES) funding but on the aged facilities of the campus and a report conducted by Fyoog, an architectural consultant contractor, who surveyed the critical needs of the buildings.

One FTES is equal to one or more students who are enrolled in 15 units.

The biggest concern with the delay of much needed retrofits is the Hayward Fault, which runs directly through campus.

According to the seismic assessment of the 2007 Facilities Master Plan, the Gym was in built in 1956 making it one of the oldest buildings in the district, along with the locker rooms that were built in 1961.

And while the Physical Sciences Building does take the cake for being the oldest building on campus, it had the accompanying Physical Sciences Building established in 1973, allowing for more accommodations.

Phrase one of the master plan involved the renovation of the Gym Annex but any extensive renovations were held off, except for the installation of the Gym Annex elevator, bringing the building up to compliance with ADA policy after 45 years.

Phrase two does mention the renovation of the Gymnasium and so far the floors were outfitted with new material but phrase two also lists the construction of the allied and health center project, which would definitely hold more emphasis.

In the process of constructing these new buildings, college staff and faculty will be dispersed into user input groups, correlating with a building they will be working in.

The athletic department is given a chance to voice their concerns and requirements within these upcoming projects in order to best serve student-athletes and finally have their aspirations recognized.