Meyer Health and Sciences Building to expand

Conceptual rendering of the western view of the new expansion. Provided by ALSC Architects, Spokane Valley.

North Idaho College’s Meyer Health and Sciences building will soon undergo an expansion.  Originally authorized by the board of trustees in November 2018, the project was postponed in April 2020 due to the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Bidding opened up to local contractors in Mid-February 2021.

“Due to the bidding schedule, we were asked to extend the bid opening to March 10 by many contractors at last week’s pre-bid conference,” said Chris Martin, NIC’s vice president of finance and business affairs.  “We anticipate a contract will be awarded and work will begin by Spring Break.”

The expansion will include new student spaces for group study. Provided by ALSC Architects, Spokane Valley.

The expansion is being driven by growing demand for health science programs seen at North Idaho College over the last six years.  The expansion is planned to add approximately 20,000 square feet of space to the existing building.  The lower level will add four classrooms, increasing student occupancy of the building by approximately 220 students.  The second-floor addition will add two A&P labs, a general biology lab and an MLT lab.  Both levels of the new expansion will also include group study rooms, breakout areas, additional bathrooms and a large new conference room.

“We are all very excited to see this project completed. I was involved in the original construction of the Meyer Health Science building and it has served the college well,” said Garry Stark, director of facilities operations. “The labs are needed and have been needed for some time and classrooms are also needed as we have converted other classrooms into other instructional spaces to meet student needs.”

3-D rendering of the courtyard of the new Meyer Health and Sciences expansion. Provided by ALSC Architects, Spokane Valley.

Once bidding ends in March and a contract awarded to the winning bid, groundbreaking on the project is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2021. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2022, one full academic year from the original completion date.