A 2008 Facilities Master Plan identified an Allied Heath and Sciences Building as the college’s highest new construction priority. In subsequent years, Isothermal was able to capitalize on existing space by renovating the former Rutherfordton Elementary School. This facility, which is leased from Rutherford County Schools, currently houses the practical nursing, Associate Degree nursing, and certified nurse aide programs, along with many emergency medical service programs. It is called the Rutherfordton Learning Center (RLC). In 2010 and 2012, this facility was renovated at a cost of $550,000 to yield approximately 27,000 square feet of instructional space. The two-building complex was built in the 1950s and is in need of many basic repairs that are estimated to cost in excess of $4 million. In addition, the technical and electrical infrastructure of the building is inadequate to support the simulation, virtual medicine, and other instructional needs of a modern and rapidly changing health care education environment.
The need for a new Health and Sciences Building is multi-faceted. Currently, nursing students must travel between the RLC and main campus, sometimes several times each day, to complete program requirements because the science and general education classes are on the main campus. The RLC is not owned by the college, so major renovations and repairs are fiscally questionable. In addition, renovations that have occurred are limited to the existing physical structure. As a result, the college does not have the flexibility required to provide the most modern technical and practical learning experiences for nursing and allied health students. Ultimately, the construction of this facility will help Isothermal improve our communities by filling the healthcare workforce gaps while also making sure our students will have the skills needed to access high-paying and rewarding career paths right here at home.
The ceremonial groundbreaking is set for October 12, 2024. It is anticipated that construction will be completed by spring of 2027.
The state legislature has appropriated $30 million in its 2023-25 biennial spending plan for the purpose of providing funds for the construction of the Health and Sciences Building on Isothermal’s campus in Spindale.
The initial renderings provided by LS3P Architects from Charlotte, NC yielded the concept of a 62,540 sq. ft., three-story building including state-of-the-art anatomy, chemistry, and related labs along with high-tech simulations spaces to support healthcare education and training. At this time, the estimated construction costs of the facility is $37.5 million. Further, the healthcare simulation equipment, furniture, and other technologies for the facility are estimated to cost an additional $6 million. Therefore, the Isothermal Community College Foundation will seek to partner with individuals and other organizations to secure the additional $13.5 million to complete the project.
Dr.
Thad Harrill
Chief Development Officer
tharrill@isothermal.edu
828-395-1624
