On Tuesday April 15, Las Positas held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) complex. The building is projected to be equipped for faculty and student use in the fall of 2028. Construction has so far involved the complete teardown of building 800, which occurred during the district’s spring break from April 7-12. The former home to LPC’s viticulture and automotive technology programs will be renamed to 1500 and its focus shifted to STEAM.
In an interview with LPC President Dyrell Foster about the new building on campus, Foster said, “I’m so excited about our new STEAM complex because it’s going to be a state-of-the-art facility for our students, for our faculty, our staff — it’s really going to merge our STEM with our arts. There’s going to be a lot of collaboration within the building.”
FULL STEAM AHEAD: The sight of the new S.T.E.A.M. building, previous resident building 800, is now a pile of rubble. The new building is scheduled to be completed and ready for student use for the fall semester 2028. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Funding for the project comes from a $950 million Measure A bond passed by voters in 2016. The bond provided for the renovation and creation of facilities in the Chabot-Las Positas Community College district. The project is set to include science and computer labs, an outdoor theater area, a learning garden and dedicated spaces for media, photography and visual arts.
Foster opened and closed the ceremony alongside remarks from faculty and students. Speakers included District Chancellor Ron Gerhard, Dean of STEM Paula Checchi and Dean of Arts and Humanities Amy Mattern.
Nan Ho, Vice President of Academic Services, gave remarks at the ceremony.
“Our new STEAM facility is multi-disciplinary, manifesting in a physical form the interconnectedness of diverse disciplines,” Nan Ho, Vice President of Academic Services said from behind the podium. “As we bring all these diverse perspectives together, the natural collision of ideas promises to become an incubator of innovation and creativity.”
Guests included the Board of Trustees, LPC Executive Team, and representatives from California’s government. California State Senator Jerry McNerney of Senate District 05, which includes Livermore, sent representative Nathan Tran to give Las Positas a certificate of recognition in support of the Tri-Valley’s commitment to STEAM. Lauren Howe, a representative of Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, from Assembly District 16 in the California State Assembly Legislature — which includes Livermore — attended as well.
VIP SECTION: LPC’s President Foster (left) and District Chancellor Ron Gerhard (left center) chat with members of the construction companies at the groundbreaking for the new 1500 S.T.E.A.M. complex. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Deconstruction over renovation was ultimately decided for the centrally located building 800 as it was one of the oldest buildings on campus. These programs have since moved to the new buildings — 3400 through 3700 — at the top of campus behind the soccer field.
The ceremony concluded with President Foster, Chancellor Ronald Gerhard, the Board of Trustees, the LPC Executive team including vice presidents of academic, student and administrative services and those involved in planning the renovations and construction being photographed with golden shovels at the construction site. The 800 building already a pile of rubble, the ground was ceremonially broken.
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TOP PHOTO: LPC’s President Foster, District Chancellor Ron Gerhard, and members of the LPC board of trustees break ground at the site of the new S.T.E.A.M. building April 15. The new building will hold the departments of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Maximilien Kiyoi is a staff writer of The Express. Follow them on X, formally Twitter, @Max445193989306.
