NVCC Woodbridge’s Largest Expansion Since 1989

Woodbridge, Va. –– More than 25 years after it was supposed to have been completed, Northern Virginia Community College will get its third building.

The ground-breaking ceremony for phase three, as its known, was held this morning on campus.

Among the local politicians and staff members who were at the ceremony – some dating back to the early days of the campus – appeared delighted to learn the expansion of the campus is underway.

“The Woodbridge campus alone serves 10,000 students and is larger than 16 other community colleges in the state. This will be the biggest addition to the campus since 1989,” said Woodbridge Provost Dr. Sam Hill.

Through partnership agreements, space constraints have forced the college to host classes at nearby Freedom High School and Strayer University.

“We are pleased with Dr. Hill with managing growth at a facility where expansion is well overdue,” said NVCC President Dr. Robert G. Templin.

The new 84,000 square foot building will house a new lecture hall, science labs, cafeteria, photography department, and theatre and study rooms.

It is scheduled to open August 2012.

Dr. Charles Errico, a history professor at the campus, during a presentation joked construction of the new building is “right on target.” Phase three was originally planned to open in 1984.

Northern Virginia Community College was opened in 1965 and the Woodbridge campus opened 10-years later. Before opening its current facility, the college held night classes in trailers at Woodbridge Middle School.

Officials who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony noted U.S. Census Bureau data that shows Prince William County as the fastest-growing county in Virginia, now with more than 400,000 residents who could benefit from the services offered by NVCC.