As part of this project, Orange Coast College will replace two aging facilities within the Skills Center Buildings (#47 and #48) with a single new building. Constructed in 1975, these facilities have been used to serve the Aviation Maintenance and Welding Programs but have never undergone any remodel to support the growing needs of the department. Electrical, HVAC, and utility infrastructure are insufficient to house more technologically advanced equipment. Lack of ADA compliant access to all the equipment has been a challenge for both students and faculty. These deficiencies have resulted in a limited ability to access and use proper equipment, ongoing challenges with regular electrical short circuits, and limited space to house the highly demanded program. The new building measures a total of 24,592 gross square feet (GSF). The new facility will provide 1,900 assignable square feet (ASF) of lecture space, 14,275 ASF of lab space, 290 ASF of office space, and 100 ASF for other instructional support space for a total of 16,565 ASF. The existing skills lab buildings will be demolished upon completion of construction.
