Adora Goff
The Corsair
In Gulf Breeze, a new addition to Pensacola State College is opening in January of 2012. The South Santa Rosa Center is being constructed off Nantahala Beach Road in Midway.
According to a press release from the college, the architectural firm of Bullock Tice Associates Inc. and Greenhut Construction Co. Inc. adhered to Leadership in Energy and Environment Design standards, with a goal of LEED Gold Certification. Sustainable elements include high-efficiency mechanical systems, captured daylight, high-value insulation, construction materials from recycled products, and wetlands preservation to enhance the natural surroundings.
“This project is one of the few larger projects in the South Santa Rosa area, and the size of the project has made itself a prime candidate for setting sustainable design precedence for the area,” architect Larry Adams said. “It will help promote ‘green’ practices and hopefully people can see how beautiful the campus will be and know that it was designed with conservation and sustainability in mind and hopefully that’s an inspiring thing.”
The $9 million-center will help Pensacola State better serve one of Florida’s fastest growing counties, says Pensacola State President Ed Meadows in the press release.
It is a two-story, multi-use facility that includes state-of-the-art classrooms and science laboratories. The center will offer college courses leading to associate and baccalaureate degrees, college credit dual enrollment courses for high school students, GED prep and adult education classes, and corporate and professional development training. Students can choose from a variety of class formats including traditional, online, day, evening and weekend classes.
The center hopes to serve students in the Navarre and Gulf Breeze area.
“This campus is very convenient for me because I can get from work to school quickly without having to rush,” said Kristina Wray, resident of Navarre.
The center was started in 2010 with the intent of creating new jobs, helping dual enrollment students, and providing a closer school for those that reside in the Gulf-Breeze and Navarre area.
“Going to this will be a major help with saving gas money, and I will be closer to home,” Wray said.
The South Santa Rosa Center will offer 36 core courses in English, science, history, mathematics, and other subjects. As more buildings and classrooms are added, more courses will be offered.
Students will also have a library and computer lab for extra resources and research.
Despite the limited number of classes, many students think that it is still worth going to as a starting off point.
“It gives a decent college campus to the people living out here in Navarre without having to drive 15-20 miles one-way to Pensacola or Fort Walton,” said David Krebs, resident of Navarre and future college student.