On January 21, 2026, Sampson Community College (SCC) cut the ribbon on their new 12,000-square-foot Activity Center addition – a project that began in November 2024.

The new addition completes a long-planned renovation of a building that has served the community for decades and will now better support student activities, campus events, and community use. It will be used primarily for career fairs, physical education classes, basic law enforcement training, and wellness space. First designed in 1998, the Activity Center addition remained unbuilt because of cost, but was redesigned and successfully completed with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) support in 2026. The expansion was funded by the USDA Community Facilities grant, paired with state support from the NC Connect Bond.

Dr. Bill Starling, President of SCC, remarked, “The College recently celebrated the completion of the new multipurpose wing to the Activity Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony allowing us to thank representatives of the USDA Rural Development for their support of the project. The addition represents more than expanded square footage—it reflects the commitment to creating spaces where our students and the community can gather and learn.”

Designed by Greenville-base JKF ARCHITECTURE, the addition is located on the east side of the existing building and includes a large multipurpose room, capable of hosting large events or serving as an athletic court for sports like basketball and volleyball. Sizable new restroom facilities include showers. Ample storage space is available for mobile furniture (tables, chairs, etc.) and some mechanical equipment has been elevated into a mezzanine to maximize space on the ground. As part of the project, the original Activity Center is received several upgrades to improve functionality and modernize finishes. Room 153’s sloped floor has been removed and fixed seating has been replaced with more adaptable furniture and equipment. A new vestibule has been constructed outside Room 160 to serve as a secondary building entrance from the parking lot immediately south of the facility. This addition enhances student engagement, promotes physical health, and provides versatile facilities for both academic and extracurricular activities, boosting campus life and local partnerships