A resolution and campus construction were the main topics discussed during the April meeting of the South Plains College Board of Regents.

The first item of business discussed at the Board of Regents meeting was a resolution commending the excellent season that the Lady Texan basketball team had. 

“The Board wanted to recognize the coaches and the team for an outstanding year,” said Dr. Kelvin Sharp, president of South Plains College.  “It was just the Board’s way of thanking Coach Hardin and the team.”

This was a record-setting season for the SPC women’s basketball team.  The Lady Texans boasted an overall record of 31-4 and a conference record of 11-1.  They broke the school record for most wins in a season.  The Lady Texans also ended up fourth in the nation, yet another first for the school.

“The Lady Texans were awesome this year,” said Sharp.  “They were outstanding ambassadors of the college, and did a fine job at the national tournament.”

Receiving the resolution was Coach Lyndon Hardin and his assistant, Michelle Wyatt.  Joe Tubb, athletic director for SPC, also attended the meeting to show his support for the coaches.

The next item discussed was construction of the new parking lot near the new Science Building.  The Board opened bids for the parking lot on April 7, and received four major bids.  The bid that was picked was from a local company who wanted to do the work for the college.

The location of the parking lot is ideal for the area.  Its layout puts it near the center of all major activity on the campus.  The addition of the lot should cut down on side street parking near the campus.

“This parking lot will create 97 spaces,” said Sharp.  “It will help immensely because of its proximity.  It is in the ‘hub’ of the campus.”

Construction is about to begin on College Avenue, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, and this may prove to be a little problem.  Drainage is going to be a factor in connecting the lots.

“We were going to tie all of the lots together in the area, but we aren’t for sure,” said Sharp.  “We have to wait until College is widened to determine if we can connect the lots.”

Construction on the lot should begin around May 17 or May 18.  It should take about 90 days to complete.

The Board also received a report on the progress in the construction of the Plainview center.  Dr. Sharp also reported how much all of the furniture and equipment would cost the college.  They looked through all of the items that the college has in storage in order to save a little bit of money.

The workers at the center have begun to put up sheetrock, tape and texture the walls.  Plumbers, electricians and demolition crews began showing up on April 26.

“The construction is moving right along,” said Sharp.  “The completion date is not set though.”

The new addition to the Creative Arts Building is slowly taking shape.  Dr. Sharp said the outside is being cleaned up a little bit, and concrete was to have been poured by the end of last week.  Recent rains might have slowed them down a little, he added.  The outside of the building should be completed within the next 30 days. 

“Construction on the Creative Arts Building is right on schedule,” said Sharp.  “It should be ready in time for the fall semester.”

In other action, the Board heard the financial report, curriculum revisions, a report on Groundhog Shadowing Day and the President’s report.