New sports programs and construction projects are being eyed by officials at Chattahoochee Technical College, which on Thursday welcomed the first students to its new Canton campus.

The state's largest technical college is considering adding women's fast-pitch softball and baseball to their lineup of sports.

The additions would come on the heels of the college adding club-level, full-contact football, club-level women's basketball and intramural sports such as women's softball and men's baseball.

Chattahoochee President Dr. Sanford Chandler said the addition of the sports goes in line with the school becoming a well-rounded choice for its students.

The president also said he hopes for a smooth transition of operations at the new Canton campus, which opened earlier this month to staff and for classes on Thursday. The 62,500-square-foot, two-story building is on a 25-acre site in the Bluffs at Technology Park behind RiverStone Plaza.

Four classes, which are overflow classes from other campuses, will be taught this winter with a full schedule of classes starting in the spring.

"Our No. 1 goal is getting the Canton campus up and moving," he said.

Chandler said the college is also seeking sources to renovate its campus on Main Street in downtown Woodstock.

In 2005, the former Appalachian Technical College began operating a campus in the former Woodstock elementary school buildings, which are still owned by the Cherokee County School District.

The construction would include renovating the gym to become an auditorium big enough to seat between 150 and 200 students, improving the overall structural condition of the buildings and upgrading the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and windows.

Chattahoochee has more than 13,200 students enrolled in its winter quarter at all of its campuses, according to Rebecca Long, a public relations specialist with the college. That total includes 1,900 students have never taken classes before at the college.

Another goal, Chandler said, is a smooth transition from a quarter to semester system, which will be complete by fall.

"Our people are ready for the conversion," he said. "We are at a point now where we are good to go."

With the imminent changes to who will qualify for the HOPE Scholarship, the president said he and his staff also are working to make sure students are aware of how it could impact them.

Chattahoochee will continue reaching out to local businesses in training their workforce to remain competitive.

Jonathan Warner, director of economic development for the college, said the school wants Cherokee County employers to know about its various continuing education programs, which can help the workforce remain competitive and up-to-date in their respective fields.

"We want to improve their knowledge and skills," he said

Changes also are on the way to the college's adult education programs.

Jon Collins, executive director of adult education for the college, said its curriculum will be revamped to reflect the shift of the general educational development (GED) tests toward college readiness.

"It's just not good enough to go through our program," he said. "Our goal is to make them college ready."

For 2010, Chandler said he was proud to see the college operate without laying off any staff, adding about $2,003 per student was spent on operations, which made the school one of the most efficient in the state.

He also noted he was proud to see the school launch club football and complete the official merger with Appalachian and North Metro Technical Colleges.

One disappointment, he said, was not receiving funding from the state to enhance existing facilities and create a training center in Cartersville that would have focused on logistical and manufacturing industry needs.

Overall, he said, 2010 shaped up to be a great year for Chattahoochee Tech.

"I just could not have asked for a better year," he said.