Construction crazy: An update on the current projects on campus and what is still to come
Megan Conley, Staff Writer
Although construction and renovations are not new concepts for North Greenville University, the current projects hold significant value for students and personnel, so precise measures are being taken to ensure NGU’s new additions fully encompass the functionality the university needs.
Paul Epting, director of contracting and construction, sheds some light on the projects around campus whose completion may make students weary. The additions to the Crain Science Building are being redesigned and once some important decisions are made, the construction can begin.
“As far as the science building goes, we’ve been grading on the site. We’re currently looking at some redesign options to better meet the needs of the university, so it’s in the design phase. There’s no completion date yet; part of the design phase is going to tell us that. There’s a lot of things in administration that they’re still deciding on,” said Epting.
Other projects currently in the works are the Tigerville Country Store, which will be completed this summer, and the chapel arena, which is still in the design phase. The weight room for the athletes was just completed. The student services volleyball and basketball courts are also a work in progress, with site lighting being the current focus at the moment. There are also plans for a track and field complex, as well as a softball complex, and the civil designs are complete on both projects.
Although students may not be seeing results, there are a number of steps that must be completed before construction of a project can begin.
“First we have a design concept from the leadership of the university. That’s followed with hiring civil engineering, architectural work, and mechanical and other engineering. They do the grading, then design and then the electrical, mechanical, structural and plumbing design. After we get our permits, we have to grade the site before we can begin building,” said Epting.
Because NGU is allocating resources and personnel, some delays can occur.
“At NGU we try to do a lot of our own work, so we don’t always sub contract out. To do new construction and to maintain maintenance on campus means we’re not allowed to stay on construction 100 percent. But that allows us to save money and make the Lord’s money stretch so we can continue to grow. We try to always build with a mindset of being economical and being good stewards of God’s money, so sometimes it takes a little longer,” said Epting.
There are multiple factors that must be taken into account when preparing a project, and one step that can cause delays is the permits from the county.
“Once they complete their work, then we submit for building permits, which can take anywhere from 30 to 100 days. The permits go through the county, then they come back and make us make revisions to suit them or because of code regulations. We’re at their mercy,” said Epting.
Students can see daily the work being done to make additions to our university and although it may take some time, those in charge are taking precautions to ensure these projects reach the highest quality possible.
“Construction is a process that you have to go through. Delays and changes and tweaks are part of that process. We have to be patient but you don’t want to rush through things because that’s when mistakes are made,” said Epting.
