Lambton College is expected to break ground on two new buildings this spring.�We're going to have a great opportunity to construct the health building and the athletic fitness centre together,� college president and CEO Judy Morris said in an update to Lambton County council Wednesday.Plans are for the $30-million Nova Chemical Health and Research Centre to be built beside the $12-million athletics and fitness complex on the east side of the college property.Construction on the 100,000-square-foot project is expected to start next September, following a groundbreaking ceremony in March. The facilities are expected to be ready for student use in the summer of 2018.�(The buildings are) going to be very, very significant in terms of size and in facing onto Modeland Road, it's going to change the landscape of Lambton College,� Morris said.Nova Chemicals recently donated $2 million towards the proposed health and research centre set to be used by a variety of students, including nursing, massage therapy and paramedics. Earlier this year, the federal and provincial governments stepped forward with $20 million after the county pledged $5 million towards the project.The 60,000-square-foot health centre will include nursing bays, a retail pharmacy and simulation space in close proximity to each other, a 125-seat lecture hall and active learning classrooms without fixed furniture.�(The classrooms are) tricked out with the technology and the design to bring students in a collaborative manner,� said Spencer Dickinson, the college's vice-president of corporate performance and employee relations.The 40,000-square-foot athletic centre, meanwhile, will be home to a varsity-sized gymnasium that can be divided into two areas and a 4,000-square-foot fitness studio.Both the college's existing gymnasium and its greenhouse � set to be relocated for the project � will continue to be fixtures on the campus.�(The existing gymnasium) will be heavily utilized by the programs and the community as well,� Morris said.The two new facilities will be the first new free-standing buildings built at the college campus since 1972.�In terms of space at the college, we have lots of room to expand,� Morris said. ;barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca
