Chaffey College Celebrates Opening of Library Learning Commons

It was an afternoon of celebration, music and bittersweet emotions.

The Chaffey College campus community gathered Feb. 12 to cut the ribbon on the Library Learning Commons, a three-story 76,000-square-foot structure that had been under construction since summer 2023. The $75 million state-of-the-art building includes a library, classrooms, study spaces and more.

“This building will no doubt serve countless generations of students and help them on the way toward academic success,” Shannon said. “We are excited to officially open our Library Learning Commons today.”

Community members took tours of the facility, which includes 27 study rooms, 136 computer terminals and about 60,000 books.

Chaffey College Governing Board Vice President Gary  C. Ovitt described the excitement of watching the building come together during the last couple of years.

“Like our construction crews, our students will be building their own foundations here in this beautiful new facility — foundations for bright futures,” he said.

The Measure P project was a labor of love for many, and leading the charge were two men who passed away before having an opportunity to celebrate its completion.

The campus community held a moment of silence to remember Associate Superintendent of Administrative Services and Emergency Operations Troy Ament, as well as James “Jim” Rogers, who served as senior construction manager on the project.

Chaffey College Student Government President/Trustee Matthew Caddell spoke about Ament’s commitment to the project, but also to students.

“He understood that this space wasn’t about a ribbon cutting. It was about generations of students who would walk through these doors looking for a chance to build something better for themselves,” he said.

Members of Chaffey’s choir, accompanied by Professor of Music Patrick Aranda on piano and directed by Professor of Music David Rentz, performed “Blessed Be” by Melanie DeMore. The group gathered “flash mob” style on the grand staircase – honoring Ament’s vision for the ceremony.

Rogers served on the Measure P bond construction team for five years, leading the construction of the new library as well as master planning for the new Fontana campus. Ament served Chaffey College 13 years, leading numerous Measure P projects to completion including the Aquatic Center and the Chino Instructional Building.

Caddell said that the new building represents what happens when the community invests intentionally in student success.

“This building is more than concrete and glass. It’s three floors of possibility,” he said.