If you’ve driven by the intersection of East H Street and Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista or past National City and Plaza boulevards in National City, it’s easy to see that this is an exciting time for Southwestern College. Each morning, construction crews descend onto work sites at the main campus and at the Higher Education Center in National City to build the walls that will become cornerstones for Southwestern College and be home to thousands of students.
This is all made possible by Proposition R, a $389 million general obligation bond passed by voters in November 2008 to make a significant investment in higher education.
Money from this bond has already done quite a bit. With Proposition R, Southwestern College built a new fieldhouse and classrooms, upgraded its emergency communications system, installed solar panels throughout its Chula Vista parking lots and made crucial infrastructure improvements.
What’s next for Proposition R? Currently under construction are three state-of-the-art buildings: The Wellness Center & Aquatic Complex and the Math, Science & Engineering Building at the main campus and a two-story expansion at the Higher Education Center in National City, which just broke ground.
Wellness Center & Aquatic Complex
The walls of the new Wellness Center & Aquatic Complex at the corner of East H Street and Otay Lakes Road have gone up, and the new facility is beginning to take shape. This 75,000-square-foot facility will be home to a gymnasium that can convert to a 2,500-seat auditorium. The facility includes fitness labs, training rooms, classrooms, office spaces and two Olympic-sized swimming pools and a 25-meter therapy pool. The center replaces the Exercise Science facilities that were demolished to make way for the new Math Science & Engineering Building.
Budget: $52 million. Estimated Completion: Fall 2018.
Math, Science & Engineering Building
The old 1000 building has been demolished and cleared to make way for Southwestern College’s new state-of-the-art Math, Science & Engineering Building. This two-story facility will house new, advanced laboratories and classrooms, as well as lecture halls and office space. The building will feature a biology greenhouse and pond as well as a rooftop telescope platform. Faculty created their programming around the theme of “Science on Display,” ensuring all classrooms were viewable and accessible. This will be the most energy-conscious building to date – collecting condensate from dew and air conditioning to store for garden use.
Budget: $78 million. Estimated Completion: Fall 2018.
Higher Education Center, National City expansion
Concrete has been poured for the Higher Education Center, National City’s two-story south side expansion. The new building will expand course sections and programs at National City with new classrooms, laboratory spaces and a teaching clinic. It will also feature a community room and be home to the Center for Business Advancement. The center will offer support for small business owners through the San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center, Small Business Development Center and the Center for International Trade Development. The modernized spaces for the Business Development area will be ready November 2016.
Budget: $22.5 million. Estimated Completion: Fall 2017.
