Clover Park Technical College officials have announced they will hold a grand opening ceremony next week to mark the completion of the school’s new health sciences facility.

School officials broke ground on the two-story, $24 million building nearly two years ago. The college received $20.4 million from the Washington State Legislature to help fund the new facility, which aims to serve the school’s growing healthcare training programs. Indeed, according to school officials, Clover Park Technical College instructs the largest number of healthcare-related programs within Pierce County. The school’s 11 health training programs have long since outgrown the original 22,000 square foot Building 14, which opened more than 30 years ago. The new 55,562 square foot health sciences facility accommodates 2,166 full-time-equivalent students currently enrolled in healthcare training programs such as registered and practical nursing, phlebotomy and surgical technology.

The new building offers 10 classrooms, three computer laboratories, two general science laboratories, and three conference rooms. The program laboratory learning spaces  reflect current industry standards and include learning spaces that operate simulation mannequins (“SimMans”) and capture this instruction on a live feed that are shown to a larger student audience elsewhere in the facility. In addition, two classrooms include interactive television capability, and wireless Internet access is available throughout the building. Finally, the facility has state-of-the-art security and remote lockdown capability in the event of an emergency.

The building also boasts a variety of eco-friendly features. It is designed to exceed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified Project standards and features a patio/roof garden, herbal garden, landscaping using native plants, energy-efficient lighting, and HV/AC and plumbing features.

Earlier this year, the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board identified the new facility as one of the Top 10 economic development projects and investments in Pierce County.

A grand opening ceremony will be held on Fri., Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. at Clover Park Technical College, located at 4500 Steilacoom Boulevard SW, in Lakewood. More information is available online at cptc.edu.