LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – As SLCC says goodbye to this year’s graduates, its says hello to a new year and a new building on campus. If you’ve driven down Bertrand recently, you’ve probably noticed a large building under construction. Well, what you are seeing is the foundation of a new health and sciences building for South Louisiana Community College. The college broke ground on the project back in June. Communications and Marketing Director Christine Payton said the growing RN program, that was founded two years ago, sparked the expansion.

“We’ve had our co-heart of students go through the program, they’re going to be graduating tonight. That program will anchor this new health and sciences building.”

Spanning 63,000 square feet and standing three stories tall, Payton said there will be plenty of room for new students. The state of the art facility will feature a virtual hospital and simulation lab. Payton said the new addition will free up space in other buildings, allowing the college to better serve students. The new building is expected to be finished in the spring of 2017.