BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE:
CLARK COLLEGE AT COLUMBIA TECH CENTER

Left to right: Trustee Sherry Parker, Foundation President Lisa Gibert, ASCC President Pat Mehigan, State Representative Bill Fromhold, State Board member Tom Koenninger and Clark College President Bob Knight broke ground for Clark College at Columbia Tech Center.

The weather may have been gray and rainy, but the future is sunny for Clark College at Columbia Tech Center (CTC). That was the message from college and community leaders at the Nov. 19 groundbreaking for the $27 million dollar project, which is scheduled to open in fall 2009.

Clark College President Bob Knight cited the growth in the Columbia Tech area during the past few years. Knight said, “Columbia Tech Center is a beautiful site mixing office, industrial, medical and retail facilities…. Now, it will also be home to lifelong learning opportunities that expand access to education in the eastern portion of our service district.” He added, “The Penguin Nation is staking its claim in eastern Clark County.”

Left to right: Clark College trustees Addison Jacobs, John White and Sherry Parker expressed their excitement about the future of Clark College at Columbia Tech Center.

Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard said, “We want everyone to know that Vancouver is open for business. This great new facility also makes it clear that eastern Vancouver is open for education.”

In addition to Mayor Pollard, community leaders at the groundbreaking included State Representatives Jim Dunn, Bill Fromhold and Deb Wallace, as well as Jim Jacks, Southwest Washington Public Liaison Officer for Governor Chris Gregoire, and Robert Dingethal, Southwest Washington Director for Senator Maria Cantwell.

Left to right: Dean emeritus Dr. Antonio Scarpelli, Interim Vice President of Administrative Services Phil Sheehan and former Director of Plant Services Dave Halme enjoy a moment at the CTC groundbreaking.

Clark College Trustees Addison Jacobs, Sherry Parker and John White were present, as were Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges (SBCTC) board member Tom Koenninger and Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC) President Pat Mehigan. Members of the college’s Executive Cabinet and staff welcomed dean emeritus Dr. Antonio (Chick) Scarpelli. They were joined by representatives of LSW Architects, which designed the facility, and Todd Construction, the contractor for the project as well as Pac Trust, which manages Columbia Tech Center.

State Representative Bill Fromhold (left) and Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges board member Tom Koenninger admire the plans for Clark College at Columbia Tech Center.

About Clark College at Columbia Tech Center

Located at 18700 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Clark College at Columbia Tech Center will house 18 classrooms, eight science and computer labs, a 3500-square-foot multipurpose area for conferences, offices for faculty and support staff, and parking for 393 vehicles.

Scheduled to open in fall of 2009, Clark College at Columbia Tech Center will offer general education classes, professional and technical training, basic skills classes, workforce development and personal enrichment courses.

Former State Senator Al Bauer, Jr. (left) congratulates President Bob Knight on the new facility, which Knight termed “the next step for higher education in Southwest Washington.”

During its 2007 session, the Washington State Legislature provided funding for the $27 million project, which will be located on a 9.5 acre site in the Columbia Tech Center development. Columbia Tech Center is a 375-acre blend of offices, retail businesses, and light industry located east of 164th Avenue in east Vancouver.

LSW Architects, based in Vancouver, won the design contract for the facility. With increased natural lighting, large projection-screen displays, acoustics, and ergonomic furnishings, LSW Architects plans to exceed state-mandated certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (otherwise known as LEED) program. Todd Construction of Tigard, Oregon, will be the contractor for the project.