COOS BAY, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College will officially open its newly renovated Coaledo and Sumner Halls with a public celebration on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 on the Coos Campus, 1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay.
The College invites the public, students, and community partners to meet our faculty and tour new labs from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Coaledo Hall will feature a new lab for the Forestry and Agroecology programs, space for heavy equipment simulator training, a computer science lab, and student collaboration spaces. In Sumner Hall, the College is pleased to unveil a hands-on ambulance systems lab and classroom for the paramedicine program. The renovation also allows the College to open a state-of-the art dental assisting suite, rejuvenating a program in dental health.
The College invested $5.5 million in the project, utilizing 100% grant funding from the state of Oregon and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This work helps the College revitalize Career Technical Education (CTE) programs vital to the region’s economic recovery and long-term vitality.
“The College is committed to providing our students with flexible learning spaces that inspire collaboration and innovative thinking,” said President Patty Scott. “We also made wise use of taxpayers’ money, saving two outdated buildings, effectively transforming 18,000 square feet of instruction space into top-quality labs and technology-rich classrooms.”
Southwestern is the leading provider of job training and college transfer degrees on the south Oregon coast. This project will help the College sustain that work and increase its ability to meet the needs of industry partners seeking professionals in forestry, forest and wildland fire management, and watershed restoration. It also ensures a continuing flow of health care professionals who will step into high-demand dental and paramedicine jobs.
Opsis Architecture of Portland designed this new teaching space. Scott Partney Construction of North Bend managed the overall construction, while leveraging the skills of other local subcontractors including Tri-County Plumbing and Reese Electric.
