The board of trustees approved the next step in completing the planned South Campus energy technology center.

The board unanimously approved a $2.8 million contract with Freese and Nichols for the architectural engineering and design at its Jan. 19 meeting.

“I was concerned about it because of the size of [the budget], but I talked to Nina Petty [vice chancellor of real estate and facilities],” trustee Conrad Heede said.

“Freese and Nichols is one of the top engineering firms in this part of the world.”

The center will include space for the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration program and labs for oil and gas production, industrial maintenance and renewable energy programs.

The programs are currently operating out of a 40-year-old building with limited space.

“This is something that will help the students,” Heede said.

There is no firm price for the new building, nor does TCC know yet how it will fund the project.

The board was also notified of emergency repairs on South Campus.

During routine maintenance over the winter break, workers discovered a leak in the cooling towers that are critical for air conditioning. The repairs were done before classes started.

—Bethany Peterson