Starting the week of June 23, Pierce College District is observing summer hours at all college offices and locations. Through Aug. 29, the district is offering extended hours Monday through Thursday and reduced hours Friday to help conserve energy costs through the summer months.

As of June 23, the following office hours are in effect:

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
• Admissions Office: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

• Advising Center: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Walk-ins are welcome between 8 and 11 a.m. and between 4 and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Appointments are needed to discuss specific advising needs, however. To make an appointment, call (253) 964-6705.

• Bookstore: Through Aug, 15, hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7:45 a.m. to noon Friday. From Aug. 18 to Sept. 5, hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7:45 a.m. to noon Friday.

• Library: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Due to construction, library hours through the summer may vary from this schedule. To check updated, hours, visit the library’s Web site at www.pierce.ctc.edu/library or call (253) 964-6547.

• Registration/Cashier: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

Pierce College Puyallup
• Admissions Office: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

• Advising Center: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. To schedule an appointment, call (253) 840-8431.

• Bookstore: Through Aug. 15, hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7:45 a.m. to noon Friday. From Aug. 18 to Sept. 5, hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7:45 a.m. to noon Friday.

• Library: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

• Registration/Cashier: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

All Pierce College offices and locations will be closed July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

College officials and members of the local arts community will gather at 10 a.m. Friday at the future site of the Arts and Allied Health building at Pierce College Puyallup, 1601 39th Ave. SE.

The 61,600-square-foot Arts and Allied Health building will include a theater, recital hall, music library, recording studio and practice rooms, art studios, and an expansive lobby with large windows, ample natural light, and high ceilings. In addition, there will be classrooms and faculty offices.

“The opening of the Arts and Allied Health building will provide a much needed performance and visual arts venue on the South Hill and establish Pierce College Puyallup as a cultural center for east Pierce County,” said Mary Chikwinya, vice president of learning and student success. “We are very excited about how this new facility will support our ability to continue to meet the needs of our surrounding community.”

Cost of the new building is about $18.7 million. Construction is expected to be completed in February 2010. The first classes will he held in the building in either spring or summer quarters 2010.

Arts and Allied Health will be built near the new Health Education Center on the northwest side of the college’s campus. The groundbreaking is open and the community is encouraged to attend. Parking will be in the college’s northwest parking lot, adjacent to the construction site. Signs will be posted the day of the event to direct visitors.

LAKEWOOD – A special groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. June 10 at the future site of the Rainier science and technology building, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood.

College officials and local dignitaries will celebrate the start of construction of the 80,645-square-foot Rainier building, which will contain classrooms, science and math labs, faculty offices, and two wintergardens (plant-filled glass atriums).

This eco-friendly building is designed to achieve a silver rating based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, allowing the building itself to be part of the college’s curriculum and increased focus on environmental sustainability.

The anticipated cost of construction is $21.2 million. The first classes in the Rainier building are planned for winter or spring 2010.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom President Denise Yochum said the new facility will allow the college to enhance its existing science and math programs and provide greater educational opportunities for students.

“We currently have excellent math and science faculty and programs. Adding new, updated facilities will enhance the experiences and the successes of our students,” she said. “We also believe this new facility, along with our approach to curriculum, will attract even greater numbers of top notch science and math students, and provide greater opportunities for K-12 educational and community partnerships.”

The building is being built adjacent to Fort Steilacoom Park on the north side of the college’s campus. The groundbreaking is open and the community is encouraged to attend. Parking will be in the college’s north parking lot, adjacent to the construction site. Signs will be posted the day of the event to direct visitors.

Starting this summer, fitting a workout around a packed class and work schedule will be as easy for Puyallup students as walking across campus.

The brand new Health Education Center (HEC) is set to open at Pierce College Puyallup on July 14, offering expansive spaces for cardio and strength training, as well as organized exercise classes and areas for relaxation and socializing. This student-centered facility is warm, friendly, and inviting with vibrant colors, ample natural light, high ceilings, and impressive views of the surrounding forest.

In addition, students are invited to utilize the state of the art cardio and strength equipment, including more than 30 cardio machines and a full spectrum of both free weights and weight machines for total body conditioning for all ages and fitness levels.

The goal of the center and its friendly, helpful staff is to build holistic wellness, diversity, and community for students, faculty, and staff on the Puyallup campus.

Visit the HEC’s Web site for detailed information on the facility, equipment, operating hours, and membership rates.