The new Northwest College student center construction has a ways to go, but already the final design can be envisioned amongst the beams and openings for windows. 

And let me tell you, it’s exciting to see. 

The center will have hangout spaces, a needed dining hall, offices and even a space to be used by the outdoor recreation programs for grappling and the like. 

As new NWC board president Tara Kuipers remarked, “The students deserve this.”

I agree. But as importantly, the administration, contractor Groathouse Construction, subcontractors and the state deserve to be applauded for, so far at least, keeping the project on time and within budget. 

Considering this is a project involving public funding, under state oversight and on a public college campus, the words “on time” and “under budget” are, frankly, a pleasant surprise. 

Especially in these times, with lingering supply chain issues and inflation, it seems being both on time and under budget for just about any project, public or private, is the exception to the rule. 

Jake Schrickling, a project manager with the state construction department, made that abundantly clear when he spoke to the NWC board following their tour of the building. 

“It has been going very, very well for a project of this scale,” he said, adding, “We’re right on schedule and we’re doing very well budget wise.”

He said especially for a big project in the state, being on time and within budget is rare. 

It’s also important, as it displays good stewardship of more than $20 million worth of public (i.e. taxpayer) money (not to mention millions in private donations to the NWC Foundation for the project).

So, the next time you drive by the construction site, know that the nice new student center is not only set to have a lot of great amenities for students and staff alike, but is on track to be completed in an efficient, time sensitive manner.