State-of-the-art maintenance facility dedicated at DCC

BY MATT CHARLES
Special to the Register & Bee
Published: November 9, 2008

The day couldn’t have been more beautiful and the crowd more ecstatic. On Friday, Danville Community College President B. Carlyle Ramsey led the school’s dedication of the Maintenance Building located near the Hawkins Engineering and Industrial Technologies Building on Boswell Street.

According to DCC, the facility originates from the 2002 Commonwealth of Virginia General Obligation Bond Referendum for higher education facilities. DCC received $1.1 million dollars for its own capital campaign. Contributors to the building’s design and completion were Dewberry and Quality Construction of Danville.

“This strategically placed 7,500-square-foot building offers the pinnacle of resources for our maintenance staff. It is complete with receiving and loading dock, as well as offering plenty of room to house all equipment and serve administrative needs,” Ramsey said.

Examining the building, Building & Grounds Supervisor Earl Conner said, “This makes our job so much easier and more efficient. This project was obviously well thought out and organized, keeping the needs of the maintenance workers in mind.”

DCC Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services Scott Barnes likened the realization of the Maintenance Building to “the village that raised a child.” Barnes went on, “It has been six long years since that vote on November 5, 2002, and here we are. With the tough economic times at hand, we could not have done this without the help of our committed local leaders.”

Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chair Coy Harville added, “I staunchly support DCC. It was imperative that Pittsylvania County and our counterparts in Danville and Halifax County pull together to bring this building to life.”

Harry Lea, member of the Danville Community College Board, said proudly, “As a representative of the community college system, the real grass roots of education is right here. DCC is not only important educationally but also in developing and retaining quality individuals to lead our area.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, DCC Educational Foundation Inc. Executive Director and City Council member Buddy Rawley looked toward the future.

“We have the dedication of the Health Sciences and Student Center coming up in spring of 2009. We just dedicated the Womack Hall Fitness Facility a few weeks ago. This is all very high profile from the foundation’s perspective and in meeting our mission,” Rawley said. As a big grin conquered his face, he concluded, “We just keep improving here at Danville Community College day by day. It’s a very exciting time.”