(ABILENE, Texas) – Construction of Texas State Technical College’s newest facility at Abilene’s Industrial Technology Center is on schedule.
Bobby Copelin, TSTC’s construction project manager for campus expansion planning and construction, said plans are for the new campus building to be ready for students when the Fall 2025 semester begins. The new facility will house the Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology, HVAC Technology and Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology programs.
“Over the next three weeks, crews will be placing concrete paving for the main driveway and should complete the metal roof decking,” Copelin said. “Exterior sheathing of the facility is scheduled to begin this week.”
TSTC was allocated funding through the Capital Construction Assistance Projects, under Senate Bill 52, during the 87th Texas Legislative Session in 2021, for the nearly 50,000-square-foot building.
The project cost is $30.4 million and Parkhill, a Lubbock-based multidisciplinary architectural and engineering firm, was selected to complete the pre-design, programming and conceptual design of the new center.
Copeland said the facility should be substantially completed by July 26, 2025.
Here is a look at each program’s space in the new facility:
- Diesel Equipment Technology will have 15,095 square feet of space, including 14,045 square feet for technical training. It will also include 10 bays, as well as 1,000 square feet dedicated to an engine and transmission lab.
- Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology will have 3,755 square feet of space, including 2,568 square feet of technical training space, 1,069 square feet of exterior space, and 1,998 square feet for an exterior short-pole yard. One large main pole yard will be part of the design and will be adjacent to a covered area/covered truck parking space. Copeland said the pole yard is 75% complete.
- HVAC Technology will have 6,976 square feet dedicated to the program, including 5,740 square feet of technical training space.
- Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology will have 10,808 square feet of space, with 9,082 square feet for technical training. There will be two dedicated tractor simulator stations and 30 dedicated brazing stations, which will be shared with HVAC Technology.
A common area of the building will include computer labs, office spaces and support spaces.
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
