PARIS – The citizens advisory board for the new university and college center was told Monday that the building would be done by Feb. 12.

The board was relieved and pleased with the firm date.

“It’s just fantastic,” said board member Marge Medd. “I’m just so thrilled and I think the community will be too.”

The Western Maine University and Community College center is being developed in a two-story building next to Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School on Route 26. Norcouer Construction of Westbrook is the contractor.

The board had a tentative completion date of the first week of January for the first floor and mid-February for the second floor. There were two completion dates because originally there was only enough money to complete the first floor and it was bid that way.

In July, money needed to complete the project was secured via two grants and money from the University of Maine System and Maine Technical College System.

David Wilson, head of facilities for the University of Maine System, who is managing the construction project, informed the board via teleconferencing of the change in the completion date for the first floor.

“The extension of phase I (lower floor) is due to many things,” Wilson said. “I believe it was fair.”

He said he signed a change order last week to allow for some upgrades, which means more time had to be allowed. Some upgrades that will increase the project cost were for electric projector screens, wiring and an entrance canopy.

Wilson said the roof was changed to a modified gable style, which is safer than the originally planned roof.

“When you enter the building you will not be in a direct line with anything coming off the roof,” Wilson said. “It’s a real bonus to the building. It may seem minor to some, but not to me. I’m always concerned about how people will survive the building.”

State Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Norway, chairman of the advisory committee, said the news that the second floor construction would not be pushed back was gratifying.

“There’s a lot of excitement building about the opening,” Bennett said. “We don’t want to lose momentum.”

Joanna Backman, Central Maine Community College’s dean of corporate and community services, reported that enrollment for the fall 2003 classes was up 30 percent from the previous semester and that student inquiries concerning classes have doubled.

Bob Ellis, director of the Rumford-Mexico University Center, told the board that the search committee narrowed prospective directors for the community college center. The four candidates will have one more interview on Dec. 5 at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. He said the interview schedule was laid out to allow candidates 30 minutes each to meet members of the community.

The four candidates and their times to meet with those interested are:

• Lawrence Johnson, Lewiston, from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m.

• Nikki Abbott, Buckfield, form 10:30 to 11 a.m.

• Eric Hasenfus, Rome, 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.

• Diane Dupuis, Paris, 2:30 to 3 p.m.

SAD 17 Adult Education Director Judy Green, also on the advisory committee, said anyone in the Oxford Hills area interested in meeting with the candidates may go to the Adult Education Office in the high school for directions.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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