News Releases
June 2, 2014
For additional information:
Chato Hazelbaker, chief communications officer
Telephone: 360-992-2921
Email: chazelbaker@clark.edu
Rhonda Morin, Clark College Foundation director of communications
Telephone: 360-992-2705
Email: rmorin@clark.edu
www.clarkcollegefoundation.org
Clark College receives $730K land gift
$3.85 million in recent land gifts brightens college's future North County campus
VANCOUVER, Wash.—Clark College has received a second land gift in as many weeks—for a total of more than $3.85 million in gifts—which when combined with private and state funding, will be the location for a future Clark campus in Ridgefield, Wash.
A $731,549 gift of land from Ridgefield East 1 Associates, LLC in addition to a May announcement of a $3.12 million land gift from the Boschma family, will have a long-lasting effect for the region, including expanding access to education.
Lisa Gibert, president/CEO of Clark College Foundation, who was instrumental in securing both gifts and brokering the land purchases, praised the Ridgefield East gift as the ideal location for an entrance to Clark’s upcoming campus.
“These 10 acres will be the gateway to Clark College at Boschma Farms. In the years to come, we will work with the city of Ridgefield to encourage retailers such as eateries and coffee houses to open shops, making it an attractive entryway for a vibrant new campus,” said Gibert.
Clark College will benefit by the acquisition of the new property through the combined generosity of Ridgefield East 1 Associates, LLC, the Boschma family and the charitable support of Clark County residents, Clark College alumni, philanthropic supporters, trusts and foundations.
The Ridgefield East transaction consists of a $1.99 million purchase price by the Clark College Foundation, accompanied by a $731,549 land donation—providing a total of 10.28 acres for the future expansion of Clark College. Once built, the North County campus will be known as Clark College at Boschma Farms.
The land is adjacent to the 59.24 acres that was partially gifted from the Boschma Family, LLC and purchased by Clark College Foundation in May. The Ridgefield East property is located on the east side of North 65th Avenue. It is east of Interstate 5 and Pioneer Street. The address is 264 N 65th Avenue, Ridgefield, Wash.
The gifts and acquisitions represent a long-term visionary chapter for the growth anticipated at Clark College. The college’s 2007 Facilities Master Plan identified North County as an area where the college could fulfill its mission of providing access to an underserved area of the service district. The Washington Legislature approved the project concept in 2009.
Recently, the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges prioritized building projects for the upcoming biennium. Though no money has been allocated yet, funding for design and building has received a green light.
The population in the area has continued to expand. Clark College believes that once facilities and programs are available on a North County campus, students from the northern region of Clark and South region of Cowlitz counties will utilize this location for their educational needs and career advancement.
State funding would be sought to cover design and construction costs for one building, along with ongoing maintenance and operation dollars. The building would not increase the burden on the current Clark College budget or add costs for students.
Located in Vancouver’s Central Park and serving up to 16,000 students per quarter, Clark College is Washington State’s largest single-campus, for-credit community college.
Clark College Foundation is a nonprofit charity that serves as the fundraising partner of Clark College in support of student access to educational programs and services. It is nationally recognized for excellence in superior fundraising programs.
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