Six years of legislation, planning and meeting of minds yielded to shovels in the dirt as Ventura College held a ground breaking ceremony on the future site of the Advanced Technology Center/General Purposes classroom building and Health Sciences Center Nov. 20.

Completion is anticipated for spring 2011 for structures that will house specialty labs for computer sciences, geographic information systems, architectural technology, business fashion design, nursing, EMT, and paramedic programs. The new buildings will also house general purpose classrooms. Dr. Robin Calote, VC president, began the ceremony as she thanked the voters who passed the Measure S bond in March 2002, authorizing $356.3 million for construction and rehabilitation of facilities for the three community colleges in the district.

“We thank the community who showed their support in voting for Measure S giving a place for the higher education of our youth,” she said. Christy Weir, mayor of the city of Ventura, along with VCCCD board trustees Dr. Larry Miller, Steven Blum, Esq., Cheryl Heitmann, Arturo Hernandez and Robert O. Huber, spoke at the event, giving their blessing to the ground breaking. VC geology Professor Steve Palladino helped plan a use for the Measure S funds. “These buildings will benefit the entire community by instructing students in specialty skills such as nursing, paramedics and newly developing technologies,” Palladino said.

Jesus Torres, field representative for Assemblyman Pedro Nava, presented Ventura College with a certificate of recognition. Nancy Pham, president of Ventura College Associated Students, also addressed the crowd who came to the ceremony, saying, “If you build it they will come.”

Dr. Larry Miller, left, Chairman of VCCD Board of Trustees speaks at VC groundbreaking ceremony. Dr. Robin Calote VC President stands in the wings. (Jack Sanchez)