Waiting on steel

The foundation's been laid. Now, it's a matter of waiting on the steel.

Odessa College officials said construction of the OC pavilion strayed slightly from its original August completion date - but, the venue should be open by Sept. 20.

Construction crews laid the concrete for the 2,400-square-foot, open-air facility earlier this week, and soon the steel for the project should arrive on site, said David Bauske, OC vice president for student services.

The pushed-back completion date could be beneficial, though, he said. 

"Things will cool down, and we'll be able to use it," he said.

The venue's design, developed by Odessa-based Johnson Seefeldt Architects, could lend itself to later additions like an enclosed area for more weather protection - as funding may become available.

José Venegas, OC student government president, said students should be able to use the pavilion as a place to congregate and "learn from each other," noting the new venue would entertain students with concerts and lectures.

Venegas and others involved in Student Government during the 2007-'08 academic year helped secure funds for the pavilion by committing $25,000 for the next three years of the student organization's budget to support the venue.

Venegas, an OC occupational safety and health sophomore, said student fees didn't increase as part of this commitment because it's solely from the group's budget. Cut backs on trips and conference attendees have been made to allow for such an assistance, he said.

A benefit of the pavilion is that it allows OC to "compete" with the activities all over town by inviting the public to shows or events at the new facility, Venegas said.

Larry Johnson, senior principal for Johnson Seefeldt Architects, said the location of the pavilion next to the java cafe helps provide a focal point for the campus.

And for that venue to exist in a climate of college students, it's sure to stir up some activity within the OC community, he said.

"They're going to find a way to use it," Johnson said.

Bauske agreed that the location next to the WiFi Java Cafe was great for events like informal lectures, concerts and poetry readings.

"We just kind of see it as the living room for the campus," Bauske said. "And we're really excited to have it." 

OC PAVILION FACTS

>> Named in honor of: Rudy Acosta, 1990 OC graduate and muscular dystrophy patient.

>> Architect: Odessa-based Johnson Seefeldt Architects.

>> Contractor: Barbed Cross Construction of Midland.

>> Cost: $284,820.

>> Size: 2,400-square-foot open-air facility.

>> Location: Next to the WiFi Java Café on the OC campus, 201 W. University Blvd.

>> Funding help: $25,000 for the next three years will come from the OC Student Government budget in addition to private donations.

ANOTHER PROJECT

>> David Bauske, Odessa College vice president for student services, said in addition to the pavilion, Johnson Seefeldt Architects also will work on the remodeling of the Electronics Technology Building's Room 130.

>> OC officials unveiled plans for the renovation in May when the room was renamed the Dick and Amelia Saulsbury Conference Room.

>> Bauske said the room will start to be torn down for remodeling in the fall.