Bulldozers began clearing the way Jan. 17 for the next phase of construction on the Ventura College campus.

The demolition took out buildings Q and X, which had stood on the northeast portion of the campus since 1964 and 1954 respectively.

Building X, at 5,228 square feet, along with building Q’s 5,539 square feet, housed several programs throughout their existence. They will be replaced with the new Health and Science complex designed by the architectural firm of David Bury and Associates, said Bob Forest, director of maintenance at Ventura College for the past 34 years.

Forest expects the project to last 18 months.

“The new structures will be multi-floor buildings with a change in style, using less land yet tripling the square footage available for use,” Forest said.

California Land Clearing brought in demolition crews who continue to work on the site with bulldozers and sledgehammers in hand to mold the land for construction.

The structures will be the latest addition to the campus renovations financed by Bond Measure S, which was approved by voters in 2002. Next to come down will be buildings O and P, also on the east end of campus. These buildings currently house the nursing and paramedic programs.

“I’m really glad they are putting in these new buildings,” said Lisa Marie Cox, a 16-year-old El Camino High School student who takes classes at Ventura College. “It just gives the campus a classy feel to it.”

Updates on construction progress are available online at www.venturacollege.edu.

California Land Clearing crews bulldoze buildings Q and X on the VC campus Jan. 17, making way for the eventual site of a three-story Health and Science complex. The new building will occupy more than 10,000 square feet when the construction project is completed in 2009.