Wesley Opens New Health-Sciences Building to High Expectations and Rough Beginnings

 

Donated Building Still Has Maintenance Expenses

The Health-Sciences building, donated to the college by the federal government, required $1.6 million in renovations to make it suitable for nursing students and faculty. The money was raised through corporation and anonymous donors. The school, however, must pay to keep the building maintained throughout the year.

The New Nursing Beds

One of the first major renovation costs was to hire an architect to redesign the interior.

“We had raised enough money at the right time to hire an architect, who gutted out the whole interior of the building to create a academic facility instead of an office,” said Ron Reck, Vice President of Administration and Finance. “That cost $1,485,620. The architect was paid by a percentage of the total cost, which came to $98,953.”

A small chunk of that money was used for technology and equipment.

“Everything from furniture fixtures, whiteboards, computers and simulation mannequins cost around $72,000,” he said. “With the new building and the new technology we hope to attract more students for our nursing program.”

Reck said it will cost the school about $150,000 to maintain the building each year.

“To maintain the building year-round. I would estimate it will cost anywhere between $100,000-$125,000 for the year,” Reck said. “The new (maintenance) employee will make $25,000 to work on the building year round.”