Chicago Construction News staff writer
Construction is set to begin on the $3.15 million Applied Technology Center at Olney Central College (OCC), located in southeastern Illinois. This 8,000-sq. ft. facility, funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital program, is a major investment in the region’s healthcare education and workforce development.t
The new facility was designed by Graham & Hyde Architects Inc.
Governor JB Pritzker highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “Through Rebuild Illinois, we’re investing in the infrastructure of community colleges to open doors for students and strengthen local communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The Applied Technology Center will enhance healthcare education in southeastern Illinois, providing students with advanced tools and hands-on learning experiences to build a more resilient healthcare workforce.”
Scheduled to break ground in early 2025, the new center will expand Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall, where OCC’s radiography and nursing programs are based. Construction will create modern classrooms, high-tech simulation and skills labs, faculty offices, a student lounge, laundry facilities, and enhanced storage spaces. For he first time in its 30-year history, the radiography program will have access to an energized lab on campus.
“The CDB is proud to partner with Olney Central College to support healthcare education in Illinois,” said TJ Edwards, executive director of the capital development board (CDB). “This project reflects our commitment to improving educational facilities to meet workforce needs, and we’re eager to see the positive impact this new center will have on students and the community.”
The Applied Technology Center will be the largest classroom expansion at OCC in over a decade and the most significant renovation of Wattleworth Hall since its opening in 1974. In addition to the new construction, existing classrooms will be updated and integrated into the new space. The project is being designed by Graham & Hyde Architects, Inc.
“This is a game-changer for Wattleworth Hall and our Allied Health programs,” said Chris Simpson, president of OCC. “The new facility will greatly enhance our Nursing and Radiography programs, which are among the college’s most successful.
“This project will not only improve the college but will also have a lasting impact on the local community, as our graduates go on to work in local healthcare facilities.”
In addition to nursing and radiography programs, the new center will house other health programs such as Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Massage Therapy, Phlebotomy, and Basic Nurse Assistant Training. The facility is designed to meet the highest educational standards, with modern equipment, clinical instruction spaces, hand-washing facilities, and specialized laboratories.