Many corners of the Bakersfield College main campus either are or will be experiencing new constructions, renovations and upgrades.
Not the least of which, according to Kern Community College District Project Manager Daniel Reed, will be a photovoltaic tractor system built into a carport and located at BC’s northeast parking lot near the FACE building. On this carport, according to Paula Bray, BC manager for maintenance and operations, will be photocells following the sun, capturing the sun’s rays. Power is generated through these captured rays. This device will compensate for approximately 2,200,000-kilowatt hours of BC’s main campus electrical use. Construction will begin this May or June and conclude around Sept. or Oct. 2010, Reed said. According to Gary Reed, KCCD’s director of construction, there was no open land for the photovoltaic system, so the decision was made to put the system into a parking area.
Another energy saver, according to Bray and both Daniel and Gary Reed, is the thermal energy system tank located by the Levinson building and the Grace Van Dyke Bird Library. This tank is a device for air conditioning through chilling and storing water. According to Gary Reed, cold water is what runs the air conditioning on campus. This system will connect two chiller loops together to form one system. BC is awaiting final authorization by PG&E for use, said Bray.
According to Bray, BC, in conjunction with the Student Government Association, is planning to renovate the game room in the cafeteria. Also, Daniel Reed mentioned that ADA accessibility was recently boosted by the installation of an automatic door push button on the outside of the Finlinson building. The cost for this installation, according to Daniel Reed, was approximately $6,000. Reed also mentioned that the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities is “96 percent complete.” Currently, said Reed, fire alarms are being tested and handrails are being installed.
“BC is using money wisely,” said Raylee Maynard, 20, BC journalism major.
Joseph Deleon, 19, electronics major, agreed that BC is using construction money well.
“It’s good that BC is trying to save energy. I have no complaints,” said Daniel Munoz, 18, digital arts major.