Anyone who hasn't been to Bladen Community College lately would likely be surprised at what they see. Not only is the newest structure-the

Industrial Training Center-now operational, but the entire campus is undergoing a facelift.

Trees have been planted along portions of the drive around the campus, most of the buildings are getting fresh coats of paint, roofs are being repaired, a new parking lot has been added, and some walkways around the tree-shaded campus are being resurfaced.

Other items being addressed but not readily apparent involve improvements to the electrical and heating and air conditioning systems.

In addition, an engineering survey is under way to address campus drainage.

Executive Vice-President Lloyd Horne said many of the projects are long overdue. He pointed out that a shortage of funding for maintenance and facility improvement in recent years has limited the amount of renovation that could be accomplished.

Some of the improvements, such as the Industrial Training Center and new parking lots, are being accomplished with state bond money, said Horne. However, many of the projects now under way are being accomplished with local funding.

Horne said an additional allocation from the county this year has made it possible to address many of these projects.

The county increased its allocation for capital improvements to the college from zero dollars last fiscal year to $283,500 this year.

Since much of the maintenance and upkeep of facilities must be addressed with local funding, the ongoing facility improvements could not have been accomplished without additional funding by the county, Horne said.

"We really appreciate the support of the County Commissioners in getting us the funding needed to accomplish these projects," said Horne.

"Though some of the renovation is strictly to improve the appearance of our facilities, others affect the safety and welfare of our students, staff and faculty.

"For example, roots from the trees on campus had made some of the sidewalks rough and somewhat of a safety hazard," Horne said. "It made it particularly difficult for individuals with limited mobility. The new surfaces make it easy for anyone-even those in wheelchairs-to get around."

He added that while the most critical maintenance items had been remedied with the capital improvement funds allocated for this year, other items cannot be addressed with available funding. All of the walkways cannot be resurfaced at this time.

However, he pointed out that those most in need of repair have been resurfaced.

"Given the enrollment increases in recent years and the lack of local capital improvement funds available in past years, it will take a continuing commitment for us to catch up," Horne said. "We will address additional improvements as funding becomes available."

BCC President Darrell Page also applauded the effort of the commissioners for providing the additional funds needed for campus improvements.

However, he pointed out that enrollment has continued to increase and that the higher enrollment means more demand for classroom space, utilities and maintenance.

Enrollment in the fall was up 6.5 percent and tentative spring enrollment will likely be more than 100 students above last spring's figure.

The spring enrollment increase comes at a time when many of the community colleges in the state are experiencing leveling out or decreases in enrollment.

BCC's percentage of growth in the fall semester was among the highest in the system. Though spring enrollment figures are not yet available for all the schools in the system, it appears that BCC will again be among the leaders in enrollment increase.