McCarthy and Architekton Top Out Arizona CC Expansion
By Eric Althoff
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz.—Design-build partners McCarthy Building Companies and Architekton recently celebrated the topping out of the expansion of Central Arizona College’s Allied Health and Skilled Trades buildings. The $40 million, 51,620-square-foot expansion at the college’s Superstition Mountain Campus aims to increase local education in training tomorrow’s healthcare workers and skilled trades workers.
The Allied Health building will be home to classrooms and laboratory space to train students in such areas as massage therapy, phlebotomy, radiology, sonography, nursing assistance and various other career fields. Simulation centers will also prepare students for real-world healthcare situations they may face in the field. The simulation centers will offer “high-fidelity” mannequins, patient simulators and other technology. Local residents will be able to use the Allied Health building’s spa facility for treatment provided by student-learners under faculty supervision.
Meanwhile, the Skilled Trades building will offer students hands-on methods to learn about such careers as electrical, plumbing, ceramics, mechanical and arts programming. Simulations will help students apply their tradecraft in situations that will mimic what they might encounter when they graduate.
As part of its work for Central Arizona College, McCarthy also was tasked with renovating the existing C building to include a computer lab, E-Sports Lab, virtual reality (VR) lab as well as a suite of new faculty offices. McCarthy worked to expand the C building while keeping in place the facility’s existing student lounge, café and student organization space. On the outside, the contractor also added a new canopy to increase outdoor seating for large events.
“We are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to the completion of the new Skilled Trades and Allied Health Buildings,” Dr. Jackie Elliott, president of CAC, said of the ongoing work. “CAC will continue to provide a world-class learner experience by expanding educational opportunities for the residents of Apache Junction, Pinal County, and the state of Arizona through existing and new programs that will be housed in these facilities.”
“Topping out is a significant milestone for construction projects, and this project is especially meaningful since it will serve career and technical education students interested in pursuing careers in the trades and healthcare sector,” added Andrea Ramos, McCarthy’s project director. “We are one step closer to providing two new buildings where students, who represent our future workforce, will learn under the direct supervision of the college’s talented staff.”
Added Daniel Childers, senior associate architect with Architekton: “We extend our gratitude to Central Arizona College and our dedicated McCarthy contractor team for achieving this noteworthy milestone of topping out. This brings us one step closer to unveiling these exceptional trades, arts and healthcare facilities to the students and faculty of CAC, and the surrounding communities of Apache Junction.
“It has been the unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts of this incredible team that has brought us to this instrumental and memorable juncture. Thank you for your enthusiasm and expertise as we continue this journey towards opening these facilities to a brighter future.”
The Skilled Trades and Allied Health facilities are planned to be ready for the fall of 2024, with coursework scheduled to commence there in the spring of 2025.
Project subcontractors include RN Electric, S&H Steel, Stone Cold Masonry and Pete King.