Mt. SAC’s state of the art Health and Technology Building anticipated by students, teachers and faculty alike enters its final phases of assembly after two years of construction and $230 million in funding.

While the project initially ran out of funding and needed to pass a new bond to finish, the building is slated to be complete by fall 2027. It will host new space for numerous programs and departments including aeronautics, mental health and nursing.

Back in August 2023, construction broke ground on a streamlined new Health and Technology Building on the site of the old Technology Center and swimming pool. Now over two years later, the end product is in sight.

“The old technology center (built in 1971) was outdated and lacked space and modern technology,” Gary Gidcumb stated via email, who is the Senior Manager for construction projects at Mt. SAC

With a cost of around $230 million to complete, this massive project is funded through a combination of funds from Measure GO bond funds, Measure V bond funds and additional state funding. Mt. SAC has a Citizens Oversight Committee that ensures that funds are used in correct accordance with what the campus needs. Members of this committee are made up of various parts of the surrounding community including businesses, students, taxpayers and more as well as an advisory body for the Foundation of the College.

In a 2023 article written by Greg Macdonald published by the college-sponsored news room, the new building will house a teaching hospital, a virtual reality lab, an industrial design and manufacturing shop as well as a convenience store. On top of that, a full size Robinson Helicopter will hang suspended from the ceiling. The four-story building will not just be the largest one on campus, it will be the largest building on any community college campus in the entire state.

Projected to have more than 250,000 square feet of usable interior space, construction of the building is being handled by Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. who have been building structures in California since 1938. Aside from this project, they have handled numerous other projects on campus for Mt. SAC including the Aquatics/Gym and Wellness Center, the Computer Technology Complex and the fairly new Student Center.

The updated building will bring together 26 different programs from 10 different departments.

“The expanded space and modern facilities could support new programs, but is designed for current programs,” Gidcumb added. “Awareness [for the new programs and classes] is growing, especially as the building nears completion and updates are shared.”