VANCOUVER, Wash. — Clark College is moving forward with plans to renovate its outdated culinary and baking facilities.
By the end of the month, college officials plan to request bids for architectural and engineering services. Early next year, they will begin gathering and reviewing proposals. Sometime in March, the college will select a firm to move ahead with the renovations.
The renovation is long overdue. When it was built in 1980, the culinary facility was considered state-of-the-art. Although some equipment has been upgraded since then, no structural or cosmetic changes have been made. In addition to the kitchen, the space has a cafeteria and a small dining room.
The baking program's space will be renovated first to provide a seamless transition for that program, which continues to operate. The culinary program is on hiatus until the renovation is completed, said Bob Williamson, vice president of administrative services.
Although the renovated programs will occupy their current footprint in Gaiser Hall, the public section consisting of the cafeteria and dining room will be flipped with the current kitchen. Moving the public spaces to the building's northwest corner will provide exterior exposure, thus boosting its exterior profile and accessibility.
After the remodel, the northwest entrance to Gaiser Hall will feature the bookstore to the left and the culinary program's public spaces on the right.
"Students and community members would be aware of the program," said Genevieve Howard, dean of Workforce, Career and Technical Education at Clark College. "We would operate a small restaurant and a cafeteria, but it would have a more modern look to it — cook-to-order items, salad bar, rotating cuisine in kiosks."
In addition, the all-new space will include classrooms for both programs.
The goal is "to revamp and realign the program with industry needs with a multitude of learning opportunities," said Howard.