Central Arizona College Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Allied Health, Skilled Trades Buildings at Superstition Mountain Campus

Central Arizona College celebrated the groundbreaking of the Superstition Mountain Campus expansion project in Pinal County, Arizona, which will provide new buildings for Allied Health and Skilled Trades, as well as renovations to the college’s existing C building.

Design-build partners McCarthy Building Companies and Architekton are teaming up with CAC to complete the $40-million, 51,620-square-foot expansion.

The Allied Health building will provide integrated learning classrooms and labs for massage therapy, aesthetician, nursing assistance, pharmacy, phlebotomy, medical assistant, radiology and sonography. Additionally, simulation centers will replicate realistic healthcare environments, including hospital and operating rooms and clinical settings equipped with advanced simulation technologies such as computerized patient simulators, high-fidelity mannequins and more. The massage therapy and aesthetician programs will offer a “superstition spa” experience for local residents to utilize. Students will gain critical-thinking, decision-making and patient-care skills in a safe and controlled environment.

The Skilled Trades building will provide classrooms, labs and exterior yards for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ceramics and arts programming. Workshops will mirror real-world work environments that allow students to develop industry-specific skills and practical experience.

Happening in tandem with the new construction, renovation work on the existing C building will provide a computer lab, virtual reality lab, an expanded esports lab, faculty and public safety office. The existing café, student lounge and student organization space will all remain. Another new addition includes a large exterior canopy allowing for an expanded outdoor seating area that capitalizes on views of the surrounding Superstition Mountains. The VR lab and computer lab will provide students access to industry-standard equipment, software and simulation tools, fostering innovation and problem-solving skills.

Renovation of the C building will be complete by March 2024, and completion of the new Skilled Trades and Allied Health buildings is slated for late 2024 in time for the start of classes in January 2025. Upon completion of the expansion, three existing buildings will be demolished and replaced with landscaping. Major subcontractors on the project include RN Electric, S&H Steel, Stone Cold Masonry and Pete King.