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The Sierra College board of trustees will hold a special meeting today to discuss the Nevada County campus' remodeling future.
The Sierra College board of trustees will convene at 6 p.m. today in Room L-101 of the Nevada County Campus to discuss the college's construction project in Grass Valley - a decision that could pit a gym against a performing arts center.
Rising costs of construction materials have left Sierra College with about $6 million less than what it needs to perform the proposed renovation and construction on the Nevada County campus.
The college raised $44.4 million for the project in 2004 through a bond measure.
Rising costs of construction materials have left Sierra College with about $6 million less than what it needs to perform the proposed renovation and construction on the Nevada County campus.
The college raised $44.4 million for the project in 2004 through a bond measure.
Besides the budget shortfall, concerns also have been expressed that scaling down the construction will make the new facilities inadequate.
"I will suggest a series of deletions, and we'll then have a discussion about the wisdom of any of the changes being proposed," said President Leo Chavez of Sierra College. "Every dollar we add, we'd have to take from another project.
"I'll suggest a number of program changes to bring the project into balance from a financial, programmatic and fairness standpoint."
The role of the Nevada County campus and how the new construction fits its mission will be some of the issues discussed in today's meeting, Chavez said.
"I will suggest a series of deletions, and we'll then have a discussion about the wisdom of any of the changes being proposed," said President Leo Chavez of Sierra College. "Every dollar we add, we'd have to take from another project.
"I'll suggest a number of program changes to bring the project into balance from a financial, programmatic and fairness standpoint."
The role of the Nevada County campus and how the new construction fits its mission will be some of the issues discussed in today's meeting, Chavez said.
The board also will try to settle on some criteria to evaluate the options that are available, given the budget constraints, he added.
"We look forward to a constructive dialogue with the board," Chavez said. "We want to demonstrate that we've made significant efforts to listen to as many parts of the Nevada County community as we can."
The meeting had been planned for last week but was canceled because of a major snow storm.
One of the biggest controversies surrounding the project has to do with the construction of a performing arts center, favored by the arts community. They cite the lack of a large enough space for performances.
"We look forward to a constructive dialogue with the board," Chavez said. "We want to demonstrate that we've made significant efforts to listen to as many parts of the Nevada County community as we can."
The meeting had been planned for last week but was canceled because of a major snow storm.
One of the biggest controversies surrounding the project has to do with the construction of a performing arts center, favored by the arts community. They cite the lack of a large enough space for performances.
The debate also has focused on whether the college should delete a gym from the construction plan. Some parents and families complain about the lack of gyms in the area for fitness and go to Roseville for recreational leagues.
"This is the board's opportunity to receive additional information from the community and staff," said Dean Neal Allbee of the Nevada County campus. "The board may narrow down their options, but it's unlikely they'll reach a final decision."
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To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
"This is the board's opportunity to receive additional information from the community and staff," said Dean Neal Allbee of the Nevada County campus. "The board may narrow down their options, but it's unlikely they'll reach a final decision."
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To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
