Olympic College unveils remodeled Shops Building featuring state-of-the-art equipment and facilities

Olympic College Press Release

BREMERTON – Olympic College proudly cut the ribbon today on its newly remodeled Shops building, unveiling world-class facilities and cutting-edge equipment designed to enhance hands-on learning and collaboration.

The 14,000-square-foot building will for the first time bring Olympic College’s Welding, Manufacturing, Precision Machining, and Technical Design programs together under one roof, making it easier for students and faculty to collaborate on complex multidisciplinary projects.

Designed by Seattle firm Starling Whitehead & Lux Architects and constructed by Pease Construction of Lakewood, the project began in 2022 and modernized labs, classrooms and equipment, increased welding booth capacity, and added classroom and office space. The renovation also included a new building façade with storefront windows and garage doors. The Bremer Trust generously contributed $1.5 million toward the project.

The revamped building offers a host of upgrades, including:

• A dedicated team space that opens onto a spacious outdoor area for technology demonstrations.
• Two state-of-the-art design labs for performing computer-aided and hand-drawn production drawings.
• Floor-to-ceiling windows offering a direct connection to the scenic campus surroundings.
• Design classrooms featuring direct views into the hands-on workshops for real-time observation.
• 30 new welding booths with a variety of welder types.
• Precision machining stations equipped with digital readout/printout technology.
• Welding booths featuring state-of-the-art dust collection equipment
• More than a dozen 3D printers.

“Olympic College is proud to offer a dynamic mix of academic and trades programs, and this remodel is a welcome boost to our students seeking to learn hands-on skills that translate directly into living-wage careers,” said Olympic College President Marty Cavalluzzi. “The transformation of the building is remarkable and I’m thrilled to see our students gain access to these upgraded facilities, setting them up for successful careers in the trades.”

Dennis Funk, dean of Manufacturing & Technology, noted that the renovated facility will help train workers to meet the increasing demand for tradespeople.

“The demand for skilled tradespeople is on the rise, driven by retirements in older generations and the need for expertise in various industries,” Funk said. “This demand translates into secure job tracks, steadily growing earnings and a sense of accomplishment for individuals working in skilled trades. Olympic College is excited to meet this demand with our state-of-the-art facility, great faculty and amazing students.”

The remodeled Shops building exemplifies Olympic College’s commitment to providing world-class education and hands-on experience in critical trades. As students prepare to use these new facilities this fall, the college looks forward producing career-ready graduates that will strengthen the community’s workforce.