Last month, Weatherford College (WC) broke ground on the 70,000 square-foot Workforce & Emerging Technologies building in a unique and symbolic fashion. As a new robotics program will be housed in this development, WC President, Dr. Tod Allen Farmer, had the school’s very own programmed robot move the first shovel to lead the groundbreaking ceremony.
Speakers at the event included Texas Representative Phil King and representatives from the Texas Workforce Commission. Each spoke of the endless opportunities and open doors this three-story, joint-use facility will provide for its future students.
Established in 1869, Weatherford College is the oldest continuing community college in the Southwest. Through its technical and career programs, WC provides an education that prepares students for both vocational and professional degrees—the equivalent of the first two years of baccalaureate education.
The new Workforce & Emerging Technologies building will house a wide variety of vocational training, including the new robotics program, cosmetology, computer science, information technology, Texas Workforce Solutions, and more.
Teaming with Huckabee architects, BHB is providing civil engineering, landscape architecture, and land surveying services, as well as structural engineering support for retaining wall design. Civil services included site layout, elevation planning for the second floor walking bridge, grading, utilities, and drainage. Initial landscape design options were provided and aided in unique decisions on artificial turf in the courtyard, interior trees in the atrium, and shade tolerant planting options for the courtyard. Topographic and boundary surveys were also provided.
Due to the site having over 30 feet of elevation change in a relatively small area, over 670 feet of engineered retaining walls were designed to accommodate the main building, second story walking bridge, parking area, and ADA access points.
The current cost to construct and equip the new building is estimated at $8.8 million with a projected completion date of December 2021.