SBCC to get new building to replace old portables

Santa Barbara City College will get a new classroom building to replace two dozen run-down portables on campus.

The current portable classrooms are showing some wear, so the plan to build a brand new two-story building is welcomed by students and faculty.

More than 19,000 students attend Santa Barbara City College, and many have classes in the portable buildings located on both sides of the campus. The structures can sometimes be uncomfortable.

“Honestly, I don’t like the way how cold it gets or how hot it gets and the air conditioning doesn’t work,” said Celeste Aprahamian.

The buildings are deteriorating despite repairs. They are 15 years old and were purchased used from Santa Monica College.

“If you go inside it’s just the quality of that space is just less than what you would get from a brand new facility long-term, well-constructed, it’s just a far superior approach to creating a learning environment,” explained Facilities Manager Julie Hendricks.

The plan is to build a new facility next to the Garvin Theater near the bus loop. The building will have 24 classrooms and up to 20 faculty offices so two dozen portables can be removed.

“It’s kind of janky to just have these guys right here,” said student Zephan McIntire-Bader as he turned to look at the portables. “I mean they work, they do the job, but if we have the money we should do it probably.”

It will cost $19 million for the entire project and the money will come from bond Measure V.

“They need to go. They served a great purpose. We’ve used them a lot but they’re at the end of their life cycle,” said Hendricks.

Not all the students are unhappy with the portable classrooms. Angl Vazquez prefers them but is excited about the new building.

“It sounds good mostly because anything new is nice. Sounds good to me,” he said.

Construction will start next year and could be completed by spring 2016.