West Hills College Lemoore breaks ground on $13 million student union

The groundbreaking will began at 11 a.m. and was held outside at the future site of the new student union. The schedule of events included remarks from West Hills Community College District Chancellor Frank Gornick, West Hills College Lemoore President Don Warkintin, and Mark McKean, president of the WHCCD Board of Trustees was also present.

The new student union is just the latest project that has turned a barren field, once the home of jackrabbits and the occasional cotton patch, into a full-fledged community college, a school that is has gained tremendous respectability in California community college circles.

The local college, in the last couple of years, unveiled the state-of-the-art Golden Eagle Arena, created a women’s basketball team that ended up with a winning record in only its second year of existence and continues to attract a burgeoning enrollment.

The new student union will be the new home for the school’s cafeteria, bookstore, student government offices, and a place for students to socialize, go online, charge their iPads and cell phones and generally hang out with friends.

According to West Hills College Lemoore's Warkentin, the new student union will be all encompassing.  “The West Hills Golden Eagle Student Union will be approximately 23,000 square feet, which is slightly smaller than our Library,” he said. “It will feature a four-station food court for hot entrees, deli sandwiches, soup and salad bar, hamburgers and more. The bookstore will feature the latest in Golden Eagle apparel along with school supplies, electronic software, books and iPads.”

Warkentin said the new student union will be located just west of the current administration building and will be an attractive and welcome addition for students. “Our student leaders will have an office and a meeting room for clubs, SGA, and other student organizational activities.” He said.  “There will be state of the art sound along with flat screen TVs and adjustable furniture for various seating arrangements.  In fact, the dining area will seat 250 for casual dining and for banquets we will be able to accommodate 350.”

Warkentin told The Leader that student union is expected to be completed by the fall of 2015.