CANTON -- Chattahoochee Technical College opened its doors Tuesday for the first tour of a new campus in Canton. While finishing up the final stages of construction, administrators viewed the new building, which will be home to an estimated 400 students anticipated to enroll by the 2011 spring quarter, beginning in April.

Although the expected enrollment number is seemingly low, attendance is expected to increase, combining commuter students from the existing nearby Woodstock and Appalachian campuses as well as new students. Currently, 55 percent of the student population attends the Woodstock campus, and Cherokee County accounts for 2,000 of the 13,000 students enrolled.

Throughout the building, students will recognize a more modern architectural design.

"There's a more modern, corporate look that adds to the collegiate atmosphere," said David Simmons, assistant vice president of Facilities, as he led the tour.

After 16 months of construction, the new campus, located at 1645 Bluffs Parkway, includes two student center locations, four computer labs with 34 to 36 computers in each, nine classrooms, four medical labs, two science labs, three technology labs, an allied health lab with two classrooms, two conference rooms, and one tiered classroom that can seat up to 68 students. An average class size will range from 32 to 36 students. The campus will also be equipped with wireless capabilities, and has an overall amount of 693 computers ordered.

Medical labs will have a feeling of on-the-site training with a hospital atmosphere. Jennifer Nelson, executive director of External Affairs, said medical pre-requisites are popular among students and the medical labs will help with those programs.

The Canton campus also con

tains an instructional lab for the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) program to gain hands-on training, with the only shipping and receiving dock on any campus to assist with bringing in heating and air units for students to practice. Presently, the only campus to offer such training is located in Marietta, but Canton will offer the program beginning fall quarter 2011.

Although the campus is currently a single, two-story building, growth is possible as student enrollment increases. Nelson assured the group that student activities through clubs as well as the Student Affairs department will be present via common areas throughout the building as well as outdoor festivities.

"Parking could be an issue in the beginning, but that is all subject to change," Nelson stated, in reference to the possible concern.

Keys to the new campus are expected to be turned over to the school Friday, and furniture is anticipated to arrive Monday. The building will open to students Jan. 4, with classes beginning Jan. 6. Students are welcome to speak with advisers for registration as well as application submission. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held April 28, to signify the official opening of the campus with full class schedules being available for the spring quarter.

Canton is the first new campus to be opened by Chattahoochee Technical College since the merger in 2009 of Chattahoochee, North Metro and Appalachian technical colleges.

Rebecca Long, Public Relations Specialist, said the campus has been warmly received by the community and "a lot of people are excited to have new options in the area."