NEC’s aging Science Building is undergoing renovations that are set to be completed by Fall 2024

A major renovation of NEC’s Science Building to update classrooms and laboratories began over winter break. This was done so workers could get a lot of the demolition done when most students were away, according to the Facilities Management Department at NEC. Classes are still being held in the building while the work is being completed.

“[The] Science Building is a 1970’s building which served us very well. The spaces in it are starting to tire,” said Dan Gearan, NEC’s Vice President of Capital and Facilities.

While the cost of the project cannot be discussed, Gearan stated that the project was funded by a combination of a federal grant and fundraising.

In addition to making the building easier to navigate and replacing furniture and lighting, several spaces will be completely changed. Three former classrooms and labs will be converted into two modern labs and one classroom.

One of the biggest changes will include a lecture hall that will seat 112 people, which will be the largest classroom on campus.

“It originally was built as a lecture hall back in 1970 and over time has been converted to a theater. So, it’s basically returning back to what its roots were,” Gearan said. 

A new heating and air conditioning system for the building will be installed this summer.

With the extra space sections students can now get together and have one place where their classwork takes place as well as having a laboratory space to get any lab specific work done which includes dissecting, working with chemicals, etc.

“With the new renovations, hopefully it will become a better learning environment,” said Olivia Royal, a Photography major and Sustainability minor, when asked about the new improvements being made to the Science Building.