CLC holds groundbreaking for Southlake Campus expansion

The College of Lake County held a ceremonial groundbreaking March 24 at the Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills for a $1.7 million expansion to create a new chemistry lab. The event was held prior to the CLC board of trustees' scheduled March meeting.

Members of the Southlake Campus Advisory Committee attended the event to celebrate the start of work on the new 2,500-square-foot addition, which will accommodate 18 to 20 students per class session. In addition to providing a 1,300-square-foot chemistry laboratory, the expansion also will include a 450-square-foot instrument laboratory, 200-square-foot preparation room and a 250-square-foot storage room.

Construction of the addition is scheduled to be completed in December 2015, in time for using the new laboratory for spring semester 2016 classes.

"We are adding to our investment in students and south Lake County," said Board Chairman Amanda Howland. "When completed, the new laboratory will allow us to offer upper-level chemistry courses at Southlake and to expand the number of biology classes offered. Students in in-demand STEM fields will be able to complete even more of their requirements in south Lake County."

The project is part of the college's $163 million Sustainable Campus Master Plan, which includes facilities improvements at all three CLC campuses. Components on the Grayslake campus include repairs to the aging heating and air conditioning system, renovation of the B and C wings to create a student services center, a new science building, classroom technology upgrades and a geothermal plant and loop to save on energy costs.

Work at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan will include a new building and renovations of existing space.

For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu/masterplan.