by Kayla Sheldon on 2014-10-22

San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) held a Groundbreaking for their upcoming Athletics Complex this past Friday, Oct. 17. Interim President of SBVC, Dr. Gloria Fisher started the program by welcoming everyone with a brief speech. Chancellor of San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) Bruce Baron, as well as SBCCD Board of Trustees and SBVC Foundation Board Member Gloria Macias Harrison, SBVC’s Athletic Director David Rubio, and SBVC’s Foundation Interim Director Kevin Dooley gave brief remarks to thank everyone involved with the $69 million project. “This complex represents the years of determination and thousands of hours of hard work put in by many people,” said Rubio, SBVC Athletics Director. Not only were local political leaders and SBVC’s faculty welcome, most of SBVC’s Football team and a few of the Women’s Volleyball team attended to listen and learn about their future Athletics’ Complex. A part of the complex is expected to open by June of 2016 with the remainder of the facility opening later that year. However, its first official competition is expected to be during the Women’s Volleyball season in 2016. The first part of the facility that plans opening in June of 2016 includes: the main gym, two side gyms that will take up 108,509 square feet of space, housing three floor, workout facilities, offices and classrooms. The second portion opening later that same year will include: field buildings and landscaping primarily for teachable garden spaces and water features, and grand stand bleachers. There areas will be used primarily for relaxing break times for faculty, staff, and students. SBVC Faculty each grabbed their shovel with a wolverine paw printed right on their shovel, put their hard hats on and shoveled the first pile of dirt, breaking ground for their New Athletics Complex. [END] Athletics Compound Groundbreaking Date: 10/17/2014 Time: 4:00 p.m. Event Location: SBVC Address: 701 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., San Bdno CA 92401 Description: Get to know SBVC Athletics and celebrate the groundbreaking at the college from 4p to 4:45p. CONTACT INFO Website: http://depts.valleycollege.edu/Athletics.aspx San Bernardino Valley College will welcome local political leaders, San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) officials, student athletes and athletics support staff as they usher in a new era for SBVC Athletics this Friday, October 17, at 4 p.m. with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Athletics Complex. “This complex represents the years of determination and thousands of hours of hard work put in by many people,” said SBVC Director of Athletics, David Rubio. “We will be eternally appreciative to those efforts; we also welcome all SBVC Alumni to join us in this celebratory event on a big day for the entire campus community.” The $69 million project should see its first competition starting with the 2016 Women’s Volleyball season. The money for this project was procured through Measure M, a $500 million bond passed by the voters of the SBCCD in February 2008. Measure M has been used for a number of vital projects for San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College and the District itself. According to Dr. Gloria Fisher's monthly President’s Board Report, “The new facilities are expected to open partially in June 2016, with the remaining facilities to come on line later that year. The first portion will include the main gym, housing three floors and 108,509 square feet of space for two gyms, workout facilities, classrooms and offices. Phase two will include grand stand bleachers, various field buildings and landscaping that will include teachable garden spaces and water features. As time goes by and the plantings grow and mature, these areas will offer serenity areas where students, faculty and staff can take breaks.” Light refreshments will be served. All questions related to this event should be directed to interim SBVC Foundation Director, Kevin Dooley at 909-384-8987.