Kyra Lieberman –
Staff Writer
If there is one constant at Daytona State College, it is change.
In March, the L. Gale Lemerand Student Center opened to students and faculty. At the same time, the Theater Center built in 1966 was demolished and replaced temporarily with fresh grass.
“We do a master plan every five years,” said Christopher Wainwright, Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Operations. “We look at all of the campuses with an architect and based on the needs we have, we plan for the next five, 10, 15 and 20 years.”
Master plans are based on a survey of need, since DSC is a state college that relies on state funding. Current and future need for improvement and changes are key to getting funding. As buildings grow outdated and parking lots are outgrown, they must be replaced and reimagined to fit the ever-changing student population and community.
The library has now relocated to the new Lemerand Student Center in Building 115 and the old one, Building 210, is empty and set to be demolished by the end of the year. Built in 1960, the library housed tens of thousands of books that have now been whittled down to a few thousand, in a move toward utilizing technology and saving space. The two-story library was flagged in the college’s master plan to be demolished after the move to the new building.
In front of the former library is a fountain with a bronze sculpture of a manatee and her calf. Paul Baliker, a world-famous artist from Palm Coast, has made over 1,000 pieces displayed across the world and in his own gallery in Flagler County. With the library gone, what will happen to the beloved Baliker fountain?
While unsure of its final location, the manatee fountain is not leaving the campus behind. Wainwright says that once the library is gone, he imagines the fountain being a focal point and gathering area for the north side of campus, with benches for students and faculty to enjoy the outdoors and beautiful art.
“The whole north side of campus is changing,” Wainwright said. “The Theater Center is gone, the library is going and Building 340 (Davidson Hall) is likely going at the same time as the library. It’s one of the oldest buildings on campus.”
Davidson Hall is the home to the World Languages and Speech Department and houses other classes as well. Completed in 1959, the final classes in the building are being taught this semester.
What can be expected in the future? College administrators hope someday to house students on campus. Other state schools have residential halls, but finding funding is the hard part. There is growing need, but money will not come from the state. The need is there, especially given the rise of student athletes at DSC — with five new teams being added over the past few years — who currently live in off-campus apartments
For now, the 2020 master plan is the next target. Most past plans are followed fairly closely, says Wainwright, but with room for changes to accommodate the wants and needs of students, faculty and members of the community.
“Seeing the master plans and visualizing the campus in 20 years, that’s the most fun part of my job,” said Wainwright.
Master plans are available to view online at www.daytonastate.edu/fp.