Tom Dowling
(863) 297-1051

PCC BREAKS GROUND AT LAKE WALES; NEW FACILITY TO BE NAMED
THE J D ALEXANDER CENTER

05/16/2007: Polk Community College President Eileen Holden announced during the Lake Wales groundbreaking ceremonies on May 14 that the building will be named the J D Alexander Center after State Senator Alexander, who spearheaded the drive in the legislature to fund the $3.6 million renovation of the former Lake Wales City Hall.

The building opened in 1928 and served as the Lake Wales City Hall until 1998. It was severely damaged by the 2004 hurricanes. Following those storms, several community, education, and governmental leaders developed a plan to turn the building over to PCC and convert it into a modern academic center serving southeast Polk County. A partnership was forged between PCC, the City of Lake Wales, the Lake Wales Charter Schools, and others in the community.

During the 18-month long renovation, the structure will be outfitted with five general education classrooms, a large computer classroom, and a first floor classroom/meeting room that will be available for community use.

PCC anticipates that the new facility will have a substantial impact on the local economy starting with an estimated $1.1 million in construction spending that will occur during the renovation.

Among those speaking during the groundbreaking, held in front of the building, were: State Senator J D Alexander, PCC student Jerry Lewis, Rev. James Cleare, Pastor of Allen Temple AME Church, Lake Wales Mayor Alex Wheeler, Lake Wales City Manager Tony Otte, and PCC President Eileen Holden.