Sierra College board to consider cuts to Grass Valley campus project

Sierra College trustees have to phase out some of Phase II construction on the Nevada County Campus in Grass Valley. Trustees, college staff and community members are expected to discuss at a special meeting tonight how to alter the scope of projects included in the Grass Valley campus build-out, and what might need to be cut to avoid overspending."They're looking at how to modify the project slightly to keep this within budget," said Woodrow Wilson, director of district planning for Sierra College.Voters approved Measure G, a $44.4 million bond measure, in 2004, to be applied to the Nevada County Campus. Doug Smith, Sierra College vice president of finance and administration, said Monday that whatever the community expectations were for what the bond money is going to buy is going to change."What we have are cost estimates that are coming in higher than what we had allocated," he said.Wilson told the Journal in January that work on a handful of structures, including a classroom/laboratory building, a public safety training facility and a physical and health education building, is scheduled to begin as soon as weather permits in the spring. Rising construction costs are causing college officials and community members to debate the scope of some of the Phase II projects, looking first at what would best serve the educational needs of the college."We have been making cost adjustments to fit inside of what we have," Smith said Monday. Smith expects tonight's meeting to include plenty of discussion involving the community and trustees, who will be presented with information regarding what bond money can buy in the current market."They're going to hear some serious adds and deletes to keep this project within budget," Smith said of trustees.Board of TrusteesWhat: Sierra Joint Community College District meetingWhen: 6 p.m. todayWhere: 250 Sierra College Drive, Room L-101, Grass ValleyCall: (916) 781-0540