Representative Troy Announces $1.4 million to Lakeland Community College for Mechanical Infrastructure Replacements and Food Service Improvements

COLUMBUS- State Representative Daniel Troy (D-Willowick) today announced that he had urged the Ohio Controlling Board to approve $1,451,448 for mechanical infrastructure replacements and cafeteria improvements at Lakeland Community College and was pleased that they did so at this week’s meeting.

“We are forever grateful to Representative Dan Troy, and to the Controlling Board, for his continued support for Lakeland Community College,” said Sunil Ahuja, Ph.D., president of the College. “This is an important investment in the strong future and sustainability of the college and the community, for which Representative Troy has been a long and steadfast champion."

The majority of this funding ($1,156,463) will support the college’s Mechanical Infrastructure Replacement Project, a multi-year effort to upgrade severely outdated systems across Lakeland’s campus. Much of the existing infrastructure dates back to the campus’s construction in the 1960s and 70s and has long outlived its usefulness. Upgrading to modern mechanical equipment will ensure system longevity, improve energy efficiency, and enhance comfort for students, faculty, and staff. 

$231,463 of the funds approved for this project come from the remaining balance of Lakeland’s Engineering Building Renovations Project, which was recently completed under budget. The Controlling Board approved the transfer to allow the college to utilize these already appropriated resources. These transferred funds will fully cover phase I of the Mechanical Infrastructure Replacement Project and support the planning of subsequent phases. 

“I am glad that these dollars were available in our state High Education Improvement Fund to begin this long overdue upgrade of the college campus’s heating and cooling infrastructure. After over a half century of service, it is certainly time to replace these mechanical systems. And much more can now be accomplished due to the good management by college personnel with the Engineering Building Renovation that was recently brought to completion at almost a quarter million dollars under budget. I’m pleased that the Controlling Board allowed the savings to be transferred to address more of the campus mechanical infrastructure upgrades,” added Rep. Troy.

The remaining $294,985 approved by the Controlling Board will be used for renovations to the food service facility of the S-Building on campus. The project will replace old, faulty kitchen equipment, update the ventilation and mechanical systems in the kitchen, and restructure the cafeteria layout to improve the space’s efficiency and accessibility. Lakeland hopes these upgrades will allow for expanded menu options on campus and an overall better dining experience for students. 

“In my previous tenure in the General Assembly, I was proud to have secured funding for the construction of the Breakers Student Center and Cafeteria at Lakeland. The approval by the Controlling Board of these additional capital dollars will allow for the modernization of their facility’s food service operation in what is considered the main gathering area of the college’s student population,” concluded Rep. Troy.