Central Arizona College Breaks Ground on CTE Buildings

The Central Arizona College Superstition Mountain Campus in Apache Junction, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new expansion project, according to a news release. The project will result in new buildings for the Allied Health and Skilled Trades, as well as renovations to the existing C building. The college is partnering with McCarthy Building Companies and Architekton on the $40-million project that will cover 51,620 square feet.

“Central Arizona College is pleased to be working with McCarthy and Architekton to create a world-class learning experience for the residents of Apache Junction and Pinal County,” said CAC President Dr. Jackie Elliott. “These new facilities will allow the college to prepare students for the workforce and assist in providing economic growth for the region.”

The Allied Health building will offer integrated learning classrooms and dedicated spaces for massage therapy, nursing assistance, aestheticians, pharmacy, phlebotomy, radiology, medical assistance, and sonography, the news release reports. It will also offer simulation centers to replicate real-life healthcare environments like hospitals and operating rooms.

Meanwhile, the Skilled Trades building will offer classrooms, labs, and outdoor space for the college’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, arts, and ceramics programs.

“McCarthy and Central Arizona College share a priority for advancing career and technical education that promotes and cultivates local talent in skilled trades,” said McCarthy project director Andrea Ramos. “We are committed to working with the CAC team and Architekton to build an exceptional campus expansion that will play a pivotal role in educating our future workforce in fields that are currently experiencing labor shortages, including healthcare and construction.”

Finally, renovations to the C building will equip it with a computer lab, a virtual reality lab, expanded eSports space, and administrative space for faculty and public safety. The existing student lounge, café, and student organization space will remain intact.

Renovations to the C building are expected for completion in March 2024, according to the news release. The Skilled Trades and Allied Health buildings are slated to be complete in late 2024 and to open in time for the spring 2025 semester.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

  • South Texas K–12 District Debuts Region’s First Electric Bus Fleet

    The Valley View Independent School District in Pharr, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets to launch the district’s—and the region’s—first fleet of all-electric school buses, according to a news release.

Digital Edition