Columbia College Celebrates Madrone Building Groundbreaking

Columbia, CA — The ever growing and expanding Columbia College under the leadership of President Dr. Joan Smith celebrated the official groundbreaking ceremony for its $2.3 million Madrone Building in a nine o´clock on-campus ceremony this morning.

The new 7,562 square foot building will be constructed approximately 90 feet from the existing Madrone Building that was built 37 years ago. Automotive technology will remain in the old building while the new building will house an auto body collision repair site with a painting booth as well as a modern welding technology lab. The new building will also include an office area, storage and restrooms.

Construction of the new building will allow for program expansion and future growth of two strong instructional programs that are presently housed in inadequate space.

The new building project is funded by Measure E which was passed by voters in the area served by the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD). The new building is expected to open its doors during the summer of 2009.

Vice President of Administrative Services Connie Mical commented, “It´s an exciting time seeing a transformation of our campus for the first time since the campus was established in 1968. Along with the Madrone Building we´re seeing the expansion of the Emergency Services Building and soon we start the construction of a new Child Development facility and a Science and Natural Resources building.”

Written by Bill Johnson