Improvements to be made to facilities this school year

Filling cracks on the roof of the Technical Arts Building. Synthetic turf on the football field. Repairs made to the swimming pool. Three construction projects that are part of the Santa Ana College president’s Facilities Improvement Initiative.

The Facilities Improvement Initiative is a nearly $6 million investment in campus infrastructure funded by monies the college has received since its enrollment increase following the COVID-19 pandemic. With 75,000 students, SAC has the second-largest community college enrollment in the state and has the largest enrollment in non-credit courses.

“When other college districts aren’t growing, our college and district are growing, and when we grow, we receive additional funding,” said Bart Hoffman, Vice President of Administrative Services.

T Building was the first project completed under this initiative, which was shut down in March due to rainwater leaking through cracks in the roof. The cracks were filled with epoxy over the summer, and the building was signed off by the district’s inspector and a structural engineer as ready for occupation.

“Our president has this initiative to improve our facilities, and where we have additional resources, we have been directing them toward funding these projects,” said Hoffman.

The football field is expected to be turfed by the end of March. The college plans to host its own home football games and hopefully commencement in the future.

“By next fall, we’re hoping we can invite all of you to a home game in our brand new conference play football field,” Nery said with crossed fingers at the fall 2025 convocation.

The grass on the football field was removed and is being replaced with synthetic turf. Photo by Geovanni Esparza / el Don

Repairs to the pool are expected to be completed by the end of January. The pool is being resurfaced, and the pump is being repaired. The pool has been drained and unused for several semesters, and administrators plan to allow programs to utilize the pool upon completion.

The next project to be completed is the New Campus Entrance Project, which will feature a teardrop-shaped roundabout with a student drop-off zone and is the last project funded by a 2012 bond.

Construction of the entrance is expected to finish in December, and it will be ready for use in the spring semester.