Schools

Bellevue College Plans New Health Science Building

Bellevue College plans to break ground on a new health science building this summer, which will house the college's new nursing bachelor degree program, radiology and other programs in the health field.

Bellevue College plans to break ground on a new health science building this summer, which will house the college's new nursing bachelor degree program, radiology and other programs in the health field, according to a college press release.

The project will cost $39 million and is state-funded and contingent upon pending legislative appropriation, according to the press release.

The college reports that the 70,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed in two years.

Bellevue College issued the following statement on the new building:

The building comes at a critical time for BC’s Health Science programs, which have seen a jump in enrollment over the past several years. “In our programs, it’s extremely important that we’re able to provide the most modern and up-to-date training facilities, so our students can practice on equipment and in situations they will encounter when they go out and get jobs,” Kevin McCarthy, dean of the Health Science, Education and Wellness Institute, said. “This building will be integral to providing a first-rate education for our students.”

Nursing, BC’s oldest Health Science program, dating to the college’s founding in the late sixties, will benefit greatly from the new facilities. Included will be two dedicated nursing labs with 20 hospital beds and a five-room medical simulation lab suite. The new building will complement the expected growth of the Nursing program as the college prepares to launch a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree this fall.

Other programs that will relocate to the building include: Radiation Therapy, Radiologic Technology, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Neurodiagnostic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and bachelor’s degree programs in Radiation and Imaging Sciences and in Healthcare Technology and Management.

In addition to the nursing facilities, the building will incorporate two radiology labs with x-ray machines, separate labs for radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology and phlebotomy, and classrooms, administrative offices and meeting space. Construction will adhere to LEED Gold standards, the second highest rating, and will integrate environmentally-sustainable features such as a vegetation-covered living roof, use of recycled building materials and geothermal heating.

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According to the college, the new building also will free up space in the existing buildings for expected student enrollment growth.

The building will be known as the T building, and will be located close to Landerholm Circle near the A building.


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