Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Paul D. Camp Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning, May 1, at 1000 Armory Drive to signal the grand opening of its new Nursing & Allied Health Professions Building at that location.

Elected officials and other community leaders joined college faculty, staff and students for the ceremony that was followed by a tour of the facility.

“Today marks a momentous occasion for our college as we celebrate the grand opening of our newly renovated 13,400-square-foot Allied Health & Nursing Professions Building,” Camp Community College President Dr. Corey L. McCray said during the ceremony. “This space represents not only a physical transformation but Paul D. Camp Community College’s renewed commitment to student success and excellence in health care education.”

The facility at 1000 Armory Drive had been the home of The Tidewater News from April 1978 until the spring of 2023, when Tidewater Publications LLC, which publishes the newspaper and related print and digital products, sold the building for $750,000 to the Paul D. Camp Community College Real Estate Foundation.

On May 1, 2023, Tidewater Publications moved its office to 217-A North College Drive, where it has continued its full range of service to the public without interruption.

During the May 1, 2025, Nursing & Allied Health facility ribbon-cutting ceremony, McCray noted that the facility was a dream two years ago and would have not been possible without the steadfast support of several key groups.

“First we extend our sincere gratitude to our college Board of Trustees, whose support to expand the college’s reach across the Western Tidewater area and improve opportunities for student success, workforce preparation and community engagement has been pivotal in making today a reality,” he said.

He then encouraged those present at the ceremony to stay tuned because there will be more expansions. 

“Next, I want to thank the college’s Real Estate Foundation and Education Foundation for their leadership and entrepreneurial approach that has helped guide this concept to completion,” he said. “And again, there’ll be future projects, so Real Estate Foundation and Ed Foundation, we’ve got so much more to do. Your unwavering support continues to shape the future of our institution.

“To our faculty and staff, thank you for your vision, dedication, insight and patience throughout this renovation process,” he continued. “Your passion for student success has been instrumental in shaping a facility that rises to today’s standards of modern health care education.”

He thanked CCC’s business and community partners for standing with the college.

“Your collaboration ensures our students are not only well-trained but also well-connected to real-world opportunities in the health care professions,” he said.

He next recognized the efforts of the construction contractors and design teams that worked on the Nursing & Allied Health facility:

• Garden Property Solutions;
• Hoy Construction Inc.;
• Ionic DeZign Studios; and
• Covington, Hendrix, Anderson Architects.

“These partners have brought this vision to life,” McCray said. “Your craftsmanship, attention to detail and commitment to excellence are evident in every corner of this facility.”

He then thanked the college’s students for inspiring everyone involved in making the facility a reality.

“Your hard work and dedication to your craft is deserving of this facility with its innovative teaching and learning equipment that exists solely for the purpose of ensuring your success,” he said.

“And finally, we are deeply grateful for the contributions of our donors, whose philanthropic generosity allowed the purchase and renovation of this facility,” he said.

He listed the following donors:

• Sentara Cares Foundation;
• TowneBank Foundation;
• Obici Healthcare Foundation;
• Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation;
• Truist Foundation;
• Hampton Roads Community Foundation;
• Camp Family Foundation; and
• Parsons Fund.

“Your collective investment of more than $3 million in this project and in the future of health care and your belief in our mission will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” McCray said.

He called for a big round of applause for the donors, which promptly followed. 

“And in closing, let me say to you all, together we have created a space where students will gain skills, knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of compassionate and competent nurses and health care professionals,” he said.