(OLNEY) Olney Central College is underway with an extensive $2 million project to renovate four science labs in Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall, where not a lot of upgrades have been made since the building opened in the early 1970s. With the focus on transforming the third-floor physics, chemistry, and two biology labs into modern, high-tech learning spaces, the work began this past Monday and is expected to continue through the summer with new cabinetry, flooring & furniture, upgraded tools, laboratory equipment, and much more, with completion anticipated prior to the start of the fall semester classes later this year. It was in the fall of 2024 that OCC administration and faculty toured updated lab facilities at Parkland College in Champaign, Kaskaskia College west of Centralia, Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, and Richland Community College in Decatur in order to view different layouts and the various lab spaces. A huge part of the work is the funding provided by the OCC Foundation, making the project a part of its 2026 Campaign for Excellence on the Olney Central College campus for the future.
