$117M AACC Building Opens, Touts Tools For Health + Life Sciences

Annapolis MD

26 October, 2021

4:48 PM

Description

ARNOLD, MD — The new Health and Life Sciences Building opened Tuesday at the Arnold campus of Anne Arundel Community College. The $117 million space will support the School of Health Sciences and the Department of Biology with: 20 health science labs18 biology labs Aquaculture labsA greenhouseAn environmental health research center Workers broke ground in May 2018. The project stuck to its timeline and its budget, finishing during the initial target of June 2021. "Despite the COVID worldwide pandemic, construction impressively stayed on track," college spokesperson Angie Hamlet said in a press release. "Generous funding was provided by the county and state. AACC is grateful for their support and for recognizing the importance of this endeavor on both a county and state level." Anne Arundel Community College thinks the new building and all its resources will help the nursing program grow. (Courtesy of AACC Strategic Communications) Officials also cheered the additional resources for the nursing program, which was recently rated the best in Maryland. Some of the latest technologies include computer-controlled manikins that mimic patient conditions and simulation labs to help students practice emergency responses during clinical rotations. "With a nursing shortage nearing almost crisis levels, there is space to expand the nationally ranked nursing program to soon start doubling admitted student numbers, from 80 accepted per cohort to 160," Hamlet added. "The building helps future healthcare professionals jump more seamlessly into their challenging careers." The center spans three stories and 175,000 square feet. It occupies four acres of the 230-acre campus. AACC pointed to the structure's eco-friendly design. The building is on track to earn the second-highest environmental honor for construction projects. This is known as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Some of the green features include: Electric vehicle charging stations Priority parking for fuel-efficient vehiclesWood paneling created from the few trees removed from the lotMore than 1.3 acres of native landscapingLow-flow plumbing fixtures These strategies allow the building to save 35 percent more energy than a structure that meets the minimum requirements. Click here to learn more about the new construction. More photos of the site are posted at this link. The Health and Life Sciences Building is on its way to earning honors for its eco-friendly design. (Courtesy of AACC Strategic Communications) Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play. RELATED: Graduation Parade Celebrates AACC StudentsAACC Named Best Community College In America: StudyAACC Named Best Nursing School In Maryland: SurveyAACC Showed "Resiliency And Vigor" In Coronavirus Response: Award Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.