Dining Services at Emmetsburg campus of Iowa Lakes undergoes transformation of facilities

The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College gathered in Emmetsburg Tuesday afternoon for their regular monthly meeting and learned about the transformation which has occurred with the facilities at that campus.

Delaine Hiney, Executive Director of Facilities Management, introduced Steve Olerich, Dining Service Supervisor, who gave a summary of the services provided as well as a review of extensive remodeling to the kitchen and dining areas.

Olerich outlined how the team he works with makes extra efforts to prepare entrees which provide for special diets – considering everything from food allergies to requests for additional protein options for college athletes. And, staff members receive numerous compliments on the quality of the food. Even during weather cancellations, students are served their regular meals.

He also featured the college garden at the Emmetsburg campus which provides vegetables for consumption at both the Emmetsburg and Estherville Dining Services as well as special deliveries periodically to other campuses. In addition, the garden is used as a teaching tool for students in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program as well as an opportunity to mentor SAVE (Student Alternative Vocational Education) students.

The biggest visual change is the transformation of the kitchen/food preparation and dining areas in Emmetsburg. Following the completion of the Student Services Addition at the Emmetsburg campus, the adjacent portion of the existing building allowed for the re-build and upgrade of Dining Services.

The new construction provided the opportunity to turn the entire food preparation area into stainless steel equipment as well as upgrade other equipment.

Also during the meeting, Hiney, outlined progress on buildings at other campuses.

Construction has been slowed considerably on the Performing Arts Facility at the Estherville campus due to all the recent snow. And, at Algona, the Entrepreneurial Addition is moving forward as steel studs are in place and subcontractors are installing ductwork and electric boxes with sheetrock scheduled for next week.

Jolene Rogers, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations, received approval from the Trustees to proceed with a publication of notice concerning the sale of bonds not to exceed $2 million. She was also given approval from the Trustees to use the electronic bidding process. This is for training funds which will be used for new job growth of more than 200 workers in the Iowa Lakes region.

Rogers also talked about Accelerated Career Education (ACE) Job Credits. Participating companies are able to divert tax dollars to the College to be used for program costs, including equipment, instructor and professional development. A five-year project focused on precision agriculture for credit and non-credit offerings was approved.

The meeting wrapped up with several reports given by the Trustees.

The college is finishing up the academic year strongly. Spring Commencement will be Friday, May 11. The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 15 in Spirit Lake.

 

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