T-R FILE PHOTO — Iowa Valley Community College Board of Directors approved a $1.12 million bid for renovated science labs. The project is expected to begin in May and be completed in November.

A $1.12 million bid was approved by the Iowa Valley Community College Board of Directors for upgraded science labs at Marshalltown Community College (MCC) during Wednesday’s regular monthly meeting, which was held via Zoom.

MCC Provost Matt Schmit told the directors that seven bids were received for the project originally estimated at $1.2 million.

“I’m happy to say the bids came back very competitive,” he told the board. “The bids came in under estimates, which is very good. The recommendation, based on the price we got, will allow us to do the base bid, including all three alternates as well. Basically what that is is the entire intended project we were hoping to do.”

The upgraded science labs will provide MCC students with state of the art facilities for hands-on learning and research. The renovation will be done to rooms 507, 509 and 511, along with adjacent support spaces, in the main building on the MCC campus. Work will also include mechanical, plumbing and electrical in addition to the demolition of a small greenhouse outside of 509.

The bid was awarded to GTG Companies of Johnston. The company is no stranger to Marshalltown, as it designed the renovated Veterans Coliseum after the facility sustained significant damage from the 2018 tornado.

The project will be paid for out of the 2019 $32 million IVCCD bond referendum. The majority of voters — 62 percent — in Marshall, Butler, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Poweshiek, Story and Tama counties gave approval of the bond during the general election.

It is expected that construction of the labs will begin in May and will be completed in November.

During the December IVCCD Board meeting, Schmit said the labs are designed to provide interactive and immersive learning experiences which will allow students to engage with scientific concepts more effectively. He added the renovation is part of MCC’s strategy to maintain high education standards and attract students from a variety of backgrounds who are interested in science careers.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

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