Preparations for a new addition and renovation to the science labs at Williston State College are solidly under way, with the finer details still being determined before construction can begin.

WSC's Lance Olson, chairman of the science lab renovation committee, said it is making steady progress. For the most part, the committee has completed the basic part of the plans. He said it's now moving into completing the more precise details of the project.

"What we're trying to do now is to get a real good idea on how the labs will be set up and what each lab will contain," said Olson.

Olson said a lot of the details such as the specific layout of each room and where instruments and lab stations are to be positioned are among the major decisions to be made.

Plans for the science lab project have been ongoing since funding from the Legislature was approved for the project in the spring. In September, college officials won approval for additional funding and increasing the scope of the project. The project now is to cost about $2.2 million. Four new science labs and four new faculty offices are included in the expansion, as is a 1,000 square-foot, glassed-in area on the second floor.

Olson said another thing the committee needs to do before the construction begins is conduct some soil readings at the site of the north-side addition. He said this is to make sure the ground is stable at that location and to make sure there's nothing buried underneath the spot. Olson added things are going along at a very quick pace and overall plans are coming along very well.

"We're absolutely right on track for construction. We should know a lot more in a week and a half, two weeks," said Olson.

EAPC Architects Engineers, P.C. of Fargo has the contract for the project. Olson said construction is set to begin in the spring, with work being completed in either spring 2011 or in time for the fall 2011 classes at the latest.

"We'll probably open it up for the various bids in February or early March," said Olson.

Olson said it's been very exciting working to get the project ready to begin. He said with the new Career and Technical Education building beginning construction, it's made the work on the project all the more exciting.

He added the groundbreaking should take place in the spring.

"One idea is that maybe we can consider doing a dual groundbreaking," said Olson.

Olson said once completed, the project is sure to be impressive.

"It's going to be such a nice building; it's going to be very cool," he said.