John Kearney, left, Eric Schultz and other Butler County Community College board of trustees members get a sneak peak Thursday at the school's new Student Success Center, which is set to open in August when students start the fall semester. The new building will offer and consolidate many services that were previously scattered around the campus.

BUTLER TWP — If Butler County has the Seven Springs of community colleges, then the new Student Success Center at the Butler County Community College is its ski lodge.

The college board of trustees Thursday afternoon got the first look at the interior of the new $6.6 million building. Still in the finishing stages, the building is expected to be ready in August when students start the new school year.

Inside, students will find services such as financial aid, the registrar, admissions and student counseling. The offices that will fill the suites now are spread across five buildings on campus.

"There's a lot of natural daylight," said Brian Optiz, director of operations, of the building.

The building, he said, is designed to re-create and intensify the lodge feel of the Science and Technology Building next door. Architects have done that with a two-story glass atrium at the east end of the building and a lounge at the west.

Both ends have vaulted hardwood ceilings and a rustic red steel frame reflective of the science building. The western end, which is entered on the second floor, is a designated gathering area for students with a two-sided fireplace that will allow for warmth on the inside and outdoors. The eastern end is a welcome spot and possibly the first place a student new to campus will stop.

In between are two floors of suite offices within offices where business will happen. There are rooms where perspective students will be tested for admittance and a centralized location for the campus police. The second floor will house a full-service book store, a gift shop and student club offices.

Walls are painted in the neutral spectrum, from a muted olive called "Nettle" to a soft egg shell.John Kearney, vice president for student services, said the college is looking for furniture to match the blonde cabinetry.The college staff can fill in the space sooner than scheduled, possibly as early as May. The project, Opitz said, is ahead of schedule and under budget.Though the offices will be open to students in August, the college is planning a grand opening for later in the fall.General contractor Rob Glancy said there were no unexpected obstacles in the project that had a planned space of 34,000 square feet."This has probably been the easiest project I've been on," Glancy said, noting he's been a project manager for 10 years.

Officials tour at the new BC3 student center on Thursday March 12, 2009. The student Center will be open to students in August 2009.