Currently unable to meet the demands of the growing school population, the College of The Bahamas? Northern Campus will soon begin construction of its $8.4 million, 40,000 square foot, split level facility in Grand Bahama, COB President Janyne Hodder announced Friday.

The new school, which will be located Over the Bridge on property donated by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, has been on the drawing board for the past 10 years, according to architect Dirk Saunders of The Jackson Burnside Ltd.

It is anticipated that it would take between 14 to 18 months for completion of this first phase of construction, which was contracted to Vernon Wells of Reef?s Construction.

The current northern campus of COB is located on West Settler?s Way. The College first opened its doors in 1986 with 200 students. The student population has since risen to 600.

"We have difficulty accommodating our current students in the facilities we have but actually we think that even when we have built our Phase I of the new campus, we will continue to need this facility," Ms. Hodder said.

The new school will have about 15 classrooms, a scientific lab, computer lab, administrative offices, locker room, restrooms, library and workshop area.

Construction is expected to start in three weeks on the 50 acres of land over the bridge.

"We see a need for growth and we have been hoping to be able to accommodate that growth. We have been able to do that with the extraordinary and generous support of the Port Authority who gave us land on which to build," Ms. Hodder said.

"We have actually mobilized. So we have begun the process of building and I understand the orders for the steel have gone out."

With the introduction of the new Northern campus facility, the number of students enrolled on Grand Bahama is expected to grow by 300, according to the COB president.

"We also think that there is a need for programme development and programme growth, so we are not going to vacate these facilities, but we have the ability on our new site to actually accommodate further growth," continued Ms. Hodder.

Students are now enrolled in Business, Education, Culinary and Hospitality Management, and in Nursing in Associate and Baccalaureate degree programmes as well as College Preparatory classes.

Mr. Vernon Wells, President of Reef construction said he is very pleased that things will finally be underway for the construction of the new campus.

Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Felix Stubbs was humbled to participate in this historic occasion for the College of The Bahamas.

"Having the College of The Bahamas expand its northern campus is very crucial and important to us as we continue to strive to move the economy of Grand Bahama forward," he said. "It is going to be very important that we have great, skilled employees who would be able to take advantage of the opportunities that the Grand Bahama economy would produce," Mr. Stubbs said.

"I know I speak for one of our principals when I say that this is a delightful moment because every opportunity that I get to speak to Sir Jack [Hayward], his questions is ?when is the College of The Bahamas going to come.? He has a personal passion to see the success of this initiative and I know he is sitting back smiling, knowing that the day is here," he said.

Mr. Saunders of Jackson Burnside Ltd. said this project has been on the drawing board for about 10 years, so they are really excited. "As a company, we are really proud to be a part of this momentous occasion," he said. "Congratulations to COB on their journey to becoming a university and we are very happy and proud to be a part of the whole history making event."