DUBLIN — Construction of the new student resource center at Bladen Community College is slated to begin this week. The area where the new building is to be located was fenced off by the contractor on Monday, Jan. 5.

The new $3 million project will be constructed on the west end of the campus adjacent to the building that houses student services and Continuing Education. The area has served as the college’s primary parking lot since the campus opened nearly 40 years ago.

The student resource center, which has been on the drawing board since 2004, will house a new library and a variety of offices and student support facilities. The new facility will be “one of the most attractive buildings in the county,” according to BCC Executive Vice

President Lloyd Horne. A groundbreaking for the project was held in late October.

According to Horne, the new project will significantly alter parking patterns on the campus during and following the construction period.

The project requires the closure of one staff parking lot and one student parking lot. Students, staff members and visitors who normally use these parking facilities will be directed to alternate parking locations.

The project will include a new parking lot adjacent to the new building; however, it cannot be constructed until after the building is completed, according to Horne. The project should take approximately one year to complete.

The new project is being funded by bond money approved by North Carolina taxpayers in a 1998 higher education referendum. BCC President Dr. William Findt said he is excited to see work on the project get underway.

“This new facility will help us in a number of ways,” said Findt. “It will provide us with a first class library, but perhaps as important, it will free up space for classrooms and other facilities the college needs.

“We are currently operating at capacity and as enrollment grows, having additional space becomes more and more important. The new facility will be an excellent addition to our campus,” Findt said. “We view this building as a treasure to be used by the entire community.”