PCC Dance Department (Photo – pasadena.edu)
Three public presentations on the adoption of the revised Facilities Master Plan will be held this week.
By News Desk
On April 25, the Associated Student government at Pasadena City College facilitated a meeting between dance students and Vice President Candace Jones, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Business and Administrative Services, to address the students’ questions and concerns about the possible demolition of their specialized dance studios, and the entire W-building which Jones has been expediting.
The proposed relocation of classes to the athletics center known as the GM-building has brought up students’ concerns that the low-ceilinged space is too small, specialized flooring may not be installed, and the range of class offerings and student dance clubs won’t be accommodated due to space constraints.
The current facilities in W building have two large dance spaces, one with hardwood floors for dance with shoes, like tap dancing, and another one with Marley Floor which is softer, has a sub-floor, and is more suited for shoeless dance, like ballet and modern dance. There are floor to ceiling storage units in both rooms.
Yoga and fencing also use the space in W building.
Many questions remain
The administration hasn’t announced if the proposed changes would be temporary or permanent, what the timeline would be, how much it is costing to renovate the GM room, comparative costs and needs for repair and upgrade of the W building vs. demolition, or whether the $565M Measure PCC Bond will cover all the projects on the Facilities Master Plan, which is currently being updated.
Dance and kinesiology
The Facilities Master Plan, the fate of the W building and Measure PCC Bond have been on the agendas of several campus committees. At the last two Board of Trustees meetings, dance and kinesiology professors and students brought up their concerns during public comment. Other faculty members and members of the public have spoken during public comment at the Academic Senate, the Board of Trustees Facilities meetings, as well as the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee.
Public Presentations
There are three upcoming public presentations on the revised Facilities Master Plan this week:
- Tues., April 30, 12:00 pm in CC201
- Tues., April 30, 3:00 pm in CA140, and
- Wed., May 1, 12:00 pm in CA140.
The revised Facilities Master Plan is expected to be on the Board of Trustee’s agenda for their May 8 meeting.
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