Columbia College Improvements Planned

Measure E will mean good things for higher education in the Mother Lode.

The Yosemite Community College District Bond Measure, passed Tuesday by the voters, will mean more than fifty million dollars for renovation of existing facilities, and the construction of new facilities too.

Dr. Jim Riggs, the president of Columbia College, says some of the money is already earmarked for new building projects, and more money is going to renovation of existing facilities.

“It´s [for] buildings and certain equipment. Fixed equipment will be able to be put into the buildings. There won´t be any of the money used for staff costs,” Riggs explains.

Additional parking spaces and an emergency access road to the college are among the first places officials plan to spend money.

Among the new construction projects in the planning stages are a new science and natural resources building, a new child development center, and a permanent college facility in Calaveras County.

Renovations are also planned for the Manzanita, Sequoia, Redbud and Madrone buildings, so students, faculty and guests can anticipate some construction in the near-future.

Riggs says they´re working hard to plan well, so that impacts to students can be minimized.

Dr. Jim Riggs will appear this Sunday morning on Mother Lode Views, discussing Measure E in details.

Mother Lode Views will air Sunday at 7am on AM-1450 KVML, at 9am on Star 92.7, and at 10am on Country 93.5 KKBN.