Mechanics Cooperative Bank is proud to support Bristol Community College (BCC) with a $100,000 gift in support of the new John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building’s Dental Hygiene program! The new BCC Dental Hygiene program prepares graduates to competently begin professional dental hygiene practice and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. BCC Dental Hygiene students receive a thorough foundation in general sciences, dental hygiene science and have the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to be successful.
The new 46,000 square foot John J. Sbrega Health and Science Building where the new Dental Hygiene program is housed, is LEED Platinum rated and is the largest Zero Net Energy classroom and science lab building in the Northeast. Since its conception the building has received a number of regional and national awards for its innovative design and approach to sustainable construction.
“The new health and science building will enable the College to give our students the very best in health and life science education, while reinforcing the College’s commitment to innovative sustainable operations and student success. And this new building would not be possible without tremendous community partners like Mechanics Cooperative Bank. I would like to thank Mechanics and their President and CEO, Joseph Baptista for their support and commitment to education.” said BCC President, John J. Sbrega, Ph.D.
The John J. Sbrega, Health and Science Building is the College’s first new building since 2001. It also boasts the latest and most advanced technological resources available to educate BCC’s students in the high-demand fields of nursing, dental hygiene, and life sciences. “The space has greatly opened up the opportunities that we now have for our students. It means they are being taught with the latest technology, with the best type of equipment on the market today, and they will be competitive in the market. A sincere thank you to Mechanics Cooperative Bank for their support.” said Lynne Byers, Director of the Dental Hygiene Program.
The high-tech building also features a campus-scale photovoltaic system which allows the building to use less than 20 percent of photovoltaic (conversion of light to electricity) production, along with an air source-ground source heating and cooling system, which allows the building to move away from fossil fuel usage. “The sustainable design of this building allows the College to run the building with 100 percent of on-site generated energy” said Vice President of Administration & Finance Steve Kenyon. “The monetary savings on top of having green energy that is renewable is the exact example that every organization should be looking to do.” added Kenyon.
Other sustainable building elements include solar hot water production, efficient LED lighting, and filtered ductless fume hoods which allow the building to utilize recirculated and reheated air. The building’s architects wanted to pay homage to Fall River’s history in the building’s design elements which were influenced by commercial mills and textiles fundamental to the city’s past.
“LEED” stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED, green-building certification program rates building projects on their building strategies and practices using a point system to earn a rating. Platinum is the highest possible rating that can be achieved through LEED certification. A “zero-net energy” building produces enough renewable energy in the course of a year to meet the total amount of energy consumed by the building.
About Mechanics Cooperative Bank
With total assets over $500 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second oldest co-operative bank with eight conveniently located branches in Bridgewater, Taunton, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River and Westport. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member SIF. Equal Housing Lender.
