College of the Mainland (COM) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 160,000 SF Library & Learning Center, for which Vaughn serves as construction manager-at-risk. The new building will feature a modern library, 60 computer stations, 42 classrooms, a tiered auditorium, and dedicated spaces for student collaboration.
Representatives from Vaughn, Cannon Design, LAN, faculty, staff, and public officials attended the ceremony.
“This building represents the very best of what a community college can offer: access to knowledge, spaces for collaboration, and pathways for opportunity,” said Dr. Warren Nichols, president of the college. “It will serve generations of students, providing the resources they need to learn and succeed in the ever-changing world.”
The Library and Learning Center will house the Adult Education, Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences programs, freeing up space in the Industrial Careers Building to support continued program growth.
“It has been an absolute pleasure partnering with Cannon Design, LAN, and the College in the planning and design phases of the project,” said a Vaughn lead director of operations. “To say we are excited to get this project underway would be an understatement. We look forward to seeing the transformation of this campus area over the next couple of months as we mobilize, install site fence, and start putting shovels in the ground. Amazing days lie ahead, and we cannot wait for the day we re-gather here to celebrate opening the doors of this new building [when it is completed in 2027].
“We are excited about the opportunity to build a strong connection with this new client,” said a Vaughn project manager. “COM’s genuine passion for the community and their students is truly inspiring. Thinking back to my own time as a student, I feel that this project feels incredibly rewarding, as if we are making a real difference. Knowing that the community will benefit for years after our two-year involvement is a powerful motivator.”
We look forward to sharing more as the project progresses.