News Release

CONTACT: Della Elliott, Public Information, (619) 644-7690, della.elliott@gcccd.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         October 11, 2006

Grossmont, Cuyamaca colleges benefit from $28 million so far in
repairs and renovations

Voter-approved Prop. R means much
more than just new buildings

EL CAJON – – The $126 million construction of six new buildings at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges is the most obvious sign of the college district’s ambitious makeover of the two campuses, but also key to the historic transformation are the $28 million encumbered thus far for behind-the-scenes repairs and upgrades of aging buildings and infrastructure.

In addition to safety and aesthetic improvements, the renovations have produced energy savings, and most beneficial to students, an environment conducive to better learning.

As Prop. R, the $207 million local bond measure approved by East County voters in November 2002, nears its four-year anniversary, college and district officials recently took stock of a dizzying array of fix-it jobs and multimillion-dollar renovations of everything from fire alarms and air-conditioning units to entire buildings.

“With all the major new construction going on, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the work that’s being done to repair, renovate and update existing facilities and building components,” said Governing Board President Deanna Weeks. “The governing board has received ongoing reports on the smaller projects, but looking at the list in its entirety reveals how gradually and thoroughly the colleges are being overhauled. The amount of effort that’s gone into the planning and execution of these refurbish and upgrade projects is colossal, as are the results.”

In total, the Prop. R spending plan last approved by the governing board in mid-August shows $38.7 million committed to repair, renovate and upgrade projects for both colleges -- $18.3 million for Grossmont and $14.4 million for Cuyamaca -- and $6 million for districtwide technology infrastructure improvements. In addition to the Prop. R monies, millions of dollars from other sources, such as state scheduled maintenance funds, are helping to cover the cost of the massive campus overhauls.

The projects run the gamut. At Grossmont, they include replacing fire alarms, roofing, painting, bathroom renovations, plumbing, boilers, lighting, ceilings, air handlers and chillers for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, and asbestos abatement. At Cuyamaca, they include roofing, electrical service, lighting, reworking interior spaces to fit current instructional needs, interior finishes, underground piping, plumbing, and air-conditioning upgrades.

There have also been millions spent districtwide on energy-conservation projects – installing vending machine sensors to save power and motion sensors to turn lights off when rooms are vacant, replacing old lighting with high-efficiency units, installing skylights, insulation and more.

Chancellor Omero Suarez noted that excellent preparation and advance work made it possible for much of the renovation and repair work to be done quite early, just months after the passage of Prop. R.

“Our planning certainly paid off,” he said. “The bond was passed November 2002 and come July 1, 2003, we hit the ground running with energy-savings projects.  This had many positive results as the changes in lighting, heating and air-conditioning made classrooms better learning and teaching environments. The cost savings were important and have certainly helped us with the long heat wave this year.”

Ken Sobel, president of the Prop. R Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, had high praise for the management and spending of the bond monies.

“The governing board and district are to be commended for using Prop. R monies as promised to voters, not just for the highly visible new buildings, but for using the funds wisely to refurbish the older buildings and facilities deemed in good enough shape to salvage,” Sobel said. “The many, many renovation and repair projects that have been taking place at both colleges are truly impressive in scope. The district’s implementation of Prop. R has been excellent.”

For more information about Grossmont College in El Cajon and Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, go to www.gcccd.edu. More details on construction are also available by clicking on the link, “Construction News.”

  # # #

Intergovernmental Relations, Economic Development, and Public Information
8800 Grossmont College Drive  El Cajon, CA 92020-1799
Phone 619-644-7573 Fax 619-644-7924 www.gcccd.edu