Page 11 - Scene Magazine 42-08 August 2017

Back-To-School
KCC Athletics on the upswing with new facility, new sports.
BY ERIC J. GREENE, Dir., Public Information and Marketing, KCC
If you’ve visited or driven past Kel- logg Community College lately, you may have noticed the massive con- struction project taking shape on the
North Avenue campus in Battle Creek. What looks like a giant sand pit this summer will next year become the new Miller Physical Education Building, a modern home for KCC’s growing Ath- letics and Physical Education programs. The new, more versatile facility – which replaces the old Miller Building at the same location – will have dedi- cated space for the College’s physical education curriculum, a bigger weight and workout room, a bigger gymnasi- um, dedicated space for KCC Police Academy fitness training, more effi- cient heating and cooling systems, and other modern amenities. The building also will host home games for KCC
basketball and volleyball teams.
“Our instructors, students, athletes, coaches, and community members en- joyed much success in the old facility, and we’re expecting that tradition of excellence to continue when the new Miller Building opens in 2018,” KCC President Mark O’Connell said. “We are extremely grateful for the taxpayers and our community partners who have supported the College over the years and helped us keep our campus beauti-
ful and high-functioning.”
After reviewing multiple design
options over the past two years, KCC determined that a replacement, rather than renovation, was the most cost- effective solution for updating the Miller Building. KCC will pay for the estimated $10 million project with reve- nue from a capital millage approved by voters in 2012.
In December 2016, KCC permanent- ly closed the former Miller Building – which was built in 1966 thanks largely to the financial support of the Albert L. and Louise B. Miller Foundation – so that the College could proceed with
demolition and replacement of the fa- cility.
For the duration of the construc- tion period, employees and students associated with KCC athletic teams and physical education courses have been temporarily relocated. During the 2017-18 season, men’s and wom- en’s basketball and women’s volley- ball home games will be played at the Battle Creek Central Fieldhouse, 162 Champion St., Battle Creek. Physi- cal education classes are being held at the Battle Creek Family YMCA Multi-Sports Center, 182 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek. KCC’s softball and baseball teams will continue to play their home games at Bailey Park, 1392 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, as they have for many years.
Along with the new Miller Build- ing opening in 2018, KCC is planning to add five new sports teams to its
athletics program over the next several years. The College intends to add to its sports lineup by creating women’s and men’s cross-country in 2018-19, wom- en’s soccer in 2019-20 and women’s and men’s bowling in 2020-21.
“There is a lot of energy around KCC athletics right now and we are using this occasion to think strategical- ly,” KCC Athletic Director Tom Shaw said. “We want to offer sports that will provide local high school athletes with opportunities to compete at the college level while receiving an excellent edu- cation at KCC.”
In addition to new sports teams, KCC is exploring the potential for creating new associate degree programs in sports management and exercise science. Such programs would provide students with advantages when they enter bachelor’s degree programs at the university level and pursue related careers.
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