Cochise College kicked off major renovations at its Douglas campus nearly 45 years after construction began on the original campus in 1963.

Dirt flies as Cochise College Governing Board members and the college President Karen Nicodemus, right, ceremoniously kick off construction on the Douglas campus.

Nearly 100 students, staff, administration and community members were on hand for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the first phase construction.

The master facilities plan calls for construction of a new Science Building, Career and Technical Education Building, town home-style Residence Halls, and Housing & Student Life Building.

That construction will begin soon along with additional work on Student Services area and Little Theatre.

The hope is that the beginning of the 2009-10 school year will complete all work.

The science building will include improved lab facilities and more space for the classes. Construction on that project is expected to be completed by August 2009.

One of the biggest needs is the new townhouse-style dorms. They will help replace housing that is having infrastructure problems. The new dorms will be two-story units that will have four bedrooms, housing two students each. Each of the 13 town homes will feature a living room and kitchenette. An additional Housing and Student Life building will provide support for students in the dorms, housing a head resident and having a community room.

These dorms should be completed by December of this year.

The Career and Technical Education Building is also slated for completion in August 2009.

 “These will be more than bricks and mortar, it’s a commitment to Cochise County and especially those students in Douglas and Bisbee,” said Cochise College Board Chair Jan Guy.

“I applaud the board for its commitment to this campus,” said president Karen Nicodemus.

The original construction in 1963 was for $1.9 million, while this phase will cost more than $12 million.