AJ News

Mary Krewson Abington Journal Correspondent

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. - South Abington Township Supervisors unanimously approved a $4.5 million addition to Baptist Bible College and Seminary’s student center at its Oct. 26 meeting. The only hitch with the approval is based on college officials getting back to the supervisors with a detailed landscaping plan.

The project was previously approved by the township planning commission and county officials.

Supervisor Giles Stanton said he wants to see the trees replaced that will be removed in the construction process, noting township officials “like green space.” He added the township has a landscape ordinance and he wants to make sure the plans for the addition adhere to it.

The size of the addition is about 50,000 square feet and will be used as a recreation center, cafeteria and sporting event center, although there will be no bleachers, Hal Cross, the college vice president of business and finance told supervisors.

Jeff Jerome, an architect with Burkavage Design Associates located at Abington Park, showed the supervisors the design plan.

The addition will be built on the existing student center and Cross told the supervisors it is the biggest construction project the college has had since 1974, when the Phelps Student Center was built.

After a groundbreaking ceremony last month, work began on construction of the addition, which is expected to be completed by January 2011.

Cross added plans call for getting the outside building construction as soon as possible so that work on the inside can begin over the winter months.