Students are shown in a college writing class in Butler County Community College’s new BC3 @ Armstrong facility in Ford City, on its opening day to students Monday, March 13. The facility encompasses 15,000 square feet – 13,000 more than the dedicated space available at BC3 @ Armstrong’s former location in Manor Township. A community grand opening is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 12.

Butler County Community College’s $6.5 million BC3 @ Armstrong in Ford City debuted to students the morning of March 13 as an additional location succeeding the original in nearby Manor Township.

A community grand opening starting at 4 p.m. and running until 6 p.m. April 12 will introduce the public to a BC3 facility that other BC3 @ Armstrong students called “magnificent” and “inviting and futuristic.”

The state-of-the-art facility at 1100 Fourth Ave., whose construction was financed by public and private funds, is on the site of a former school, includes the name of former state Rep. Jeff Pyle and is expected to increase commerce in the borough’s downtown.

The community grand opening will introduce the public to spaces that are “enlightening and energetic,” said David Harris, an architect with DPH Architecture, Canfield, Ohio, which designed the facility.

“Combining the natural daylight throughout with refined interiors, I feel the occupants would have a sense of comfort and positivity when entering and utilizing the spaces in the building,” Harris said.

DPH Architecture also designed the expansion of BC3 @ LindenPointe in Hermitage, Mercer County; and the renovation of BC3 @ Cranberry in Cranberry Township and of the Amy Wise Children’s Creative Learning Center on BC3’s main campus.

BC3 @ Armstrong in Ford City encompasses 15,000 square feet – 13,000 more than the dedicated space available at BC3’s former location at the NexTier Adult Learning Center in Manor Township, according to Opitz.

Refreshments will be served at the community grand opening.