Construction on the science facility will begin in January 2026. Photo courtesy of Butte College

CHICO, CA (MPG) - Butte College will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its Chico Center on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 3 p.m. The project will add two new buildings totaling 23,972 square feet, expanding programs and opportunities for students in Chico and the surrounding communities.

The first building, an 18,100-square-foot cosmetology and barbering facility, will relocate the college’s cosmetology program into a state-of-the-art, Field Act-compliant facility. The new space will feature two cosmetology labs, one barbering lab, one esthetician lab, one manicure/pedicure lab, one classroom and eight faculty offices.

This expansion will increase capacity from 60 to 150 students annually and introduce new barbering, manicuring and esthetician programs to meet industry demand. Relocating these programs to the Chico Center will also give cosmetology and barbering students direct access to the full range of student services available on site, including counseling, tutoring and financial aid support, without the need to travel across town.

Pictured is a rendering of what the new Cosmetology and Barbering building will look like. Photo courtesy of Butte College

Construction for the Cosmetology and Barbering building will begin in September 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2026, with classes starting in January 2027.

The second building, a 5,872-square-foot science laboratory, will include one 34-student general science lab, one science stockroom and four faculty offices.

This expansion will allow Butte College to better serve students in Chico by offering science classes locally, reducing travel barriers and providing greater access to STEM education.

Construction on the science facility will begin in January 2026, with completion planned for March 2027 and classes starting in fall 2027.

The construction contract was awarded to DH Slater & Son of Chico for $22,574,869, with 48% local subcontractor and vendor participation. The total project budget is $27.2 million, funded through district capital funds.

Butte College’s Chico Center is located at 2320 Forest Avenue in Chico.