The Science Building at South Plains College has received a new, much needed addition. “We’ve been talking about renovating for two or three years,” said Darrell Grimes vice president for academic affairs. “We were in need of lab space, but funds were limited.” “So we started planning about a year and half ago for the new building.”

Construction on the new addition got under way in spring of 2004 and was opened to students last month. Students began their classes in the old classrooms, because the addition wasn’t quite completed yet.  Classes were  held in the new portion when construction was finished in mid January. The new building contains four spacious classrooms and seven new faculty offices to accommodate the growing Science Department at SPC.

One of the classrooms is used solely as a microbiology lab. But the three other classrooms are equipped with the necessities if they need to be converted into lab space.

“The new building has updated our microbiology lab, and it increased the number of students we can have in class,” said Leanne Smith, assistant professor of biology. “But it also made for much safer classrooms.”

Not only is the new addition a breath of fresh air for science professors and students, it also offers more modern equipment to go along with the ever changing science world.

“We’re very excited to have the wonderful facility,” said Grimes. “We have needed if for a long time, and I’m sure the students and faculty enjoy it.”