CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Multi-million dollar renovation projects on the Del Mar College Heritage Campus are taking shape.
Its funding is part of a whopping $157-million bond referendum that was passed by voters back in 2014. The money went to improvements both on the Heritage and Windward campuses.
On Tuesday, college officials got a look inside some of the final three buildings that are being updated to help fit the needs of the modern-day student.
The tour started at the Memorial Building, one of Del Mar's original buildings that opened in 1942 after the institution's founding in 1935.
No doubt, it was time for a refresh and that's exactly what it's getting. The total renovation cost of the building totals to $17,776,059.
The space will house administrative offices and support spaces.
Regent Carol Scott said it was important to balance the upgrades while preserving the building's history.
"Energy efficient, hurricane protected structure while maintaining the original aspects of the structure," Scott said. "I'm really proud of our staff and the architects that pulled it all together."
The next stop on the tour was Viking Hall, formally the Fine Arts Center Music Building since 1958. It still has its iconic mosaic, but now houses updated offices, classrooms, computer labs and study spaces.
Programs include Business Administration, Court Reporting, Management, Paralegal and the College's new Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Leadership degree program. Its total renovation cost $12,221,464.
Lastly, it was over to the William F. White Jr. Library which is temporarily closed to students.
The first floor will serve as a 'living room' for relaxation and studying. There's computers and a café. The second and third floors house the Stone Writing Center, Information Technology Help Desk, sculpture gallery and more. The fourth floor is dedicated to part of the library's book collection.
The top floor is lined with what you expect, lots of books, but also showcases a 360-degree view of the campus and city.
"You can see the entire city up here, you can see the new bridge, the old Harbor Bridge, astounding to see," Dean of Learning Resources Cody Gregg said.
The renovation cost of the library was $28,245,275.
"Little bit of sensory overload in so many ways," Del Mar President Dr. Mark Escamilla said.
He said they overcame a lot of obstacles to get to this point in the renovation process including a colony of bees uncovered in one of the buildings.
"We had to prepare, all the unforeseen circumstances that came upon us with COVID, the economy, not to mention some unforeseen circumstances with construction which is expected in renovations," Escamilla said.
He said the next generation of students was at the top of mind when designing the spaces.
"Participating in using this library in so many ways shoring up their academic skills with the writing center, group activities, grabbing a cup of coffee on the first floor, coming up to this 360-view of our city and really taking in a view like no other."
Viking Hall is already open. Both the Memorial Building and White Library are scheduled to open in January.