HOT SPRINGS -- National Park College's construction projects remain on schedule and within budget, college officials said last week.
The college's projects mark the end of phase one of its master plan, and completing that chapter allows them to look forward to what is next for NPC, said Melony Ritter, director of marketing and public relations.
"We believe each project is an important investment in student success," Ritter said.
She said that Dogwood Hall, which is NPC's first residence hall, will change the campus in many ways. Adding on-campus housing is part of the college's vision to offer students a university experience that is close to home, noting it is less than half the cost of the average four-year university.
The Lab Sciences addition will expand both the first and second floors of the building's west side. The bottom floor will house a new physics and engineering lab. The top-level will include a new chemistry lab, Ritter said.
The labs will allow NPC to offer upper-level courses in organic chemistry, biochemistry and physics as part of a four-year degree partnership with Southern Arkansas University, she said.
"This project is part of our vision to increase degree attainment in Garland County and give our residents access to quality four-year degrees without having to commute," Ritter said.
Renovations to the Fisher building will include retrofitting the first floor to house the Hospitality and Tourism program and the Innovative Technologies Center. The Oaklawn Foundation announced a $400,000 investment in the NPC Hospitality and Tourism program in April 2018, she said.
"Funds from the grant will be used to pay for new equipment, construction and renovation to create a 7,500-square-foot Hospitality and Tourism Center. The ITC will relocate to campus from its current location on Albert Pike Road," Ritter said.
She said that crews working on the Lab Sciences addition and the Dogwood Hall project have struggled due to rainy weather. Dogwood Hall is now "in the dry" and Lab Sciences is close to being there.
"The rain has delayed some work, but construction crews have worked weekends to catch back up," Ritter said.
She said that the 49,625-square-foot Dogwood Hall will have 180 beds.
All of the projects will allow the college to further build on the experience students have when they choose NPC. The students asked NPC to provide safe and affordable housing and opportunities to earn a bachelor's degree without leaving the community, Ritter noted.
"We are responding to those needs, and we believe our efforts will yield a significant return for Garland County and our local economy," she said.
All projects are set for completion in time for the fall semester, Ritter noted.
Metro on 03/30/2020