Palomar College recently celebrated a major construction milestone for its 38,175-square-foot permanent building at the education center in Fallbrook on Oct. 10 with a Topping Off Ceremony and Beam Signing.
More than 150 Palomar College and Balfour Beatty employees joined community members and representatives from elected offices for the event at 35090 Horse Ranch Creek Road in Fallbrook.
Palomar College Governing Board President Jacqueline Kaiser welcomed attendees and Superintendent/President Star Rivera-Lacey presided over the ceremony.
“Today represents countless hours of planning and the dedication of incredibly talented people and when we open in the spring of 2027, our students and this community will be eternally grateful to all of you,” Rivera-Lacey said, speaking to the many employees from Palomar and Balfour Beatty.
The building is scheduled for completion in early 2027 and features a modern and inviting learning environment that fosters not just academic achievement, but collaboration and social engagement with quiet study areas and comfortable places for students to connect with one another. It will offer a full-service library and house a variety of support services.
“This milestone is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of our teammates and local trade partners. Their unwavering commitment to delivering a facility that meets the needs of faculty, staff, students and the broader community is what makes moments like this possible,” said Tyler Steele, Balfour Beatty project executive in San Diego. “As one of California’s top education builders, we are honored to continue our long-standing partnership with Palomar College by helping create spaces that inspire learning, connection and growth.”
Palomar College currently serves 29,000 students at its main campus in San Marcos and three education centers in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo and Fallbrook. All of the education centers offer a comprehensive set of courses, including general education classes and specific pathways to earn associate degrees and certificates.
At the Fallbrook Education Center, students are able to pursue associate degrees for transfer in psychology and sociology; an associate degree in administration of justice; an associate degree, certificate of achievement Fire Technology — General; a certificate of proficiency in EMT-Basic; and the Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement.
Built by Balfour Beatty and designed by HMC Architects, the project scope involves the creation of a new two-story, 38,175-square-foot, steel-framed building dedicated to instruction and student support services.
The facility will feature five new lecture classrooms, a multipurpose science lab, computer lab, library, and spaces for faculty and administration offices. It will also include areas for student services, student life and leadership, a health center, nutrition center, bookstore and outdoor student gathering spaces. Additionally, there will be a new central mechanical plant serving the campus, as well as a photovoltaic system providing solar power to the new facilities. Construction began this past January.
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