Athens, TX - A comprehensive capital improvement plan is bringing significant upgrades to Trinity Valley Community College, with projects focused on modernizing campus facilities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the overall student experience.
“It is an exciting time in The Valley,” TVCC President Dr. Jason Morrison said. “Trinity Valley Community College continues to invest in the future of our students and our institution.”
With Phase III nearing completion and Phase IV in the planning stages, the college is undertaking a variety of projects designed to support student success both inside and outside the classroom.
The improvements span multiple areas of the college, including academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, and student gathering spaces.
“We are currently finishing Phase III of the capital plan and are in the planning stage for Phase IV, which we hope to begin by the end of this calendar year,” said TVCC Vice President of Operations Dr. Marcus McArthur.
Phase III of the capital improvement plan has included renovations to the Gibbs Academic Building and significant improvements to South Hall and West Hall dormitories.
Updates to the Gibbs Building include new paint, ceiling tiles, lighting, laboratory flooring, and upgraded HVAC controls.
Renovations to South Hall and West Hall include flooring, paint, bathroom and kitchen improvements, updated vanities, underground power lines, and the installation of fire sprinkler systems. Restroom doors at Northwest Dorm have also been replaced.
As these projects are nearing completion, TVCC is preparing for Phase IV, which will address additional academic, athletic, and infrastructure needs across campus.
Among these planned improvements are renovations to TVCC’s Welding Building and the repurposing of the former Automotive Technology Building to support expanded workforce training opportunities.
Plans for the welding building include enlarging the existing classroom and installing a new ventilation system to improve air quality and learning conditions.
Welding Instructor Tom Sheram said the renovations will help address current space limitations while creating a more effective training environment.
“Our classroom is on the small side, and students are forced to sit very close together,” Sheram said.
In addition to the classroom expansion, plans include installing new welding booths and a ventilation system designed to remove the fumes produced during the welding process.
The former Automotive Building is also lined up for renovation, providing space for a new Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG) area. This will allow TVCC to expand its welding instruction and provide students with additional opportunities to develop industry-specific skills.
The planned expansion will accommodate fourteen students, each with an individual welding booth.
“This addition to the Welding Department will give our students another opportunity for employment in the welding industry,” Sheram said.
Additional planned Phase IV projects include interior and exterior renovations to the Agriculture Building and HVAC control upgrades at the Baugh Technology Building.
Beyond academic and workforce training improvements, TVCC is also investing in facilities that support students’ everyday experiences on campus.
The Student Union Building has received several updates intended to create a more welcoming and functional environment for students.
Recent improvements include freshly painted interior walls, a new light fixture above the pool table, two additional televisions, and waxed flooring. Future enhancements include new foyer lighting and window clings for the front of the building.
Campus infrastructure improvements are also part of TVCC’s long-term plan. Phase IV projects include resurfacing or replacing parking lots near South Hall, West Hall, the General Studies Building, and the Liberal Arts Building, along with exterior way-finding signage improvements throughout the Athens Campus. Plans also include replacing HVAC systems in South Hall and West Hall.
TVCC’s commitment to facility improvements also extends to its fine arts programs.
The college’s theatre department recently shared their excitement for a new stage, auditorium flooring, and a new lighting control board, allowing for more efficient operation of moving lights and LED lighting systems.
The upgraded technology provides students with access to modern technical theatre equipment and additional hands-on learning opportunities.
On the athletic side, Cardinal Athletics is preparing for a series of facility enhancements designed to strengthen the student-athlete experience and support the continued success of its athletic programs.
Among the improvements is the replacement of the playing floor at Cardinal Gym, along with the installation of new scoreboards. The upgrades will enhance the competition environment for the college’s indoor athletic programs while providing an improved game day experience for student-athletes and spectators alike.
Beyond the gymnasium, two additional projects mark significant investments in the future of Cardinal Athletics. The TVCC Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a new turf practice facility for the football program, providing a dedicated space to support player development, preparation, and training.
The college has also approved the addition of lighting to the Women’s Soccer field, an important step forward for a program that continues to establish itself as a competitive force. The improvement will expand opportunities for training and competition while supporting the program’s continued growth.
“With the recent Board approvals for the construction of a new turf practice facility for our historic football program and the addition of lights to support our rapidly emerging women’s soccer program, TVCC is investing in the growth of our programs,” Dr. Morrison explained.
Together, these investments reflect more than facility improvements. They represent a commitment to providing Cardinal student-athletes with the resources, opportunities and environment necessary to pursue excellence both on and off the field.
“These investments will elevate both programs and provide them with championship-level facilities that they deserve and have worked so hard to earn,” Dr. Morrison said.
As Trinity Valley’s athletic programs continue to build upon their traditions and accomplishments, the institution is ensuring that its facilities evolve alongside the ambitions of the student-athletes who represent it. The standard of excellence in The Valley isn’t standing still, and neither is the investment in its future.
As TVCC prepares to begin Phase IV, the college’s capital improvement efforts reflect a broader commitment to providing students with facilities that support academic and athletic achievement, workforce preparation, and extracurricular involvement.
In addition to the major projects outlined in the capital plan, the college has identified smaller improvements in its fiscal year 2027 budget, including projects involving the Terrell and Palestine Campuses.
“TVCC’s capital plan represents the long-term commitment to students, local communities, institutional growth, and responsible financial stewardship,” Dr. McArthur said. “Our goal is to provide facilities at every TVCC campus that help students become champions in the classroom, workforce, or athletic field.”