Tuesday, June 16, 2026
The Renegade Athletic Complex (RAC) recently received a Project Achievement Award
from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Southern California
Chapter. Each year the CMAA SoCal Chapter recognizes creativity and architectural
achievement in construction projects in their region. The awards committee reviews
hundreds of applications and selects the “projects that serve as an example to the
industry and true pinnacles of excellence and innovation*.” Bakersfield College received
the award during the organization’s Annual Awards Gala which took place in Los Angeles
last month.
Marcos Rodriguez, Executive Director of Facilities and Operations at BC, attended
the GALA and played a part in the RAC receiving the award. “The CMAA is the premier
construction management group for Southern California,” he said, “and we were probably
the only ones recognized in Kern County. It’s nice to receive recognition and it generates
a sense of accomplishment.” Headed by the local contractor SC Anderson, the project
was already in progress when Mr. Rodriguez came to BC in 2021, and he was happy to
keep things moving forward. “There are lot of things that go into a project that you
would not consider, “he said, “and it takes a team to bring across the finish line
– and we like to highlight what we have accomplished here.”
When asked how he felt when BC won this Project Achievement Awards, he said, “There
was definitely a big sense of accomplishment. I am very proud of BC. I am an alumnus
from many years ago and my family is connected as well – and we want to let the community
know about the good things happening here.” He was also quick to point out that BC
has received recognition by the CMAA for other projects over the past couple of years,
including the Campus Center building on the Panorama Campus, the Arvin Education Center,
and others. “I am glad to be a part of all of it,” he said, “and I am glad that the
administration supported us throughout the entire process.”
The Renegade Athletic Complex project was made possible by funds provided through
Measure J, a general obligation bond that the Kern County Community passed in 2016.
Other projects that received funding from Measure J were the Campus Center Building,
the Science and Engineering Building, and others, including the nearly completed Student
Housing Building and Agricultural Center. “We are very grateful to be recognized for
the work we do,” said Mr. Rodriguez, “I have people come up to me and say, ‘We went
by BC and it has really changed’ – and it has! It is important for the community to
know that they are a part of this. We all share in this together.”
The Renegade Athletic Complex is a beautiful addition to the Panorama Campus and will
be a valuable resource for the athletics department and community for years to come.
Thank you CMAA for recognizing the hard work put in by Bakersfield College’s administration,
staff, contractors, project managers, and everyone else involved with the project
from its inception to completion. If you have visited the RAC yet, we hope you will
be able join us for the next athletics event to see the first-rate facility and cheer
on our Renegade Athletes.
*Source: 2026 CMAA Project Achievement Award Website
