Faculty and students came together on the threshold of the Exotic Animals Training and Management site to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for a new complex that will enhance the program’s already infamous reputation on March 2.
The addition has been years in the making and students and faculty alike found themselves eager for the possibilities of the new structure.
“I am super excited,” said Tamarah Roach, a student of EATM. “[The buildiing] will provide more learning opportunities and more studying opportunities.”
With an expected completion date of spring of 2011, the two-story building will feature a vet lab, new classrooms, offices and an auditorium that will double as both a classroom and theater. A book store and gift shop are also in the plans for the 12,000 square foot space.
Chancellor James Meznek and members of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees were among those who attended the groundbreaking to celebrate the structure.
Dr. Pam Eddinger, president of Moorpark College, gave the opening speech at the event and expressed gratitude for the hard work going into the construction for EATM’s new complex.
“It really does take a village to bring up a building,” said Eddinger, “and we’re really appreciative.”
Funding for the expansion of EATM was provided by Bond Measure S, a measure passed in March of 2002 by the voters of Ventura County to build, expand and renovate structures across the district.
The EATM program is one of two of its kind the United States. The 36-year-old program teaches students various skills with animals, from training and management to healthcare, and sends its graduates onto special animal-related jobs. Whether students plan to work at zoos, train animals for movies and television or go on to further education, EATM helps them on their path.
The program is situated on five acres of Moorpark College, where classrooms and animal enclosures encompass what is known as “America’s Teaching Zoo.” The EATM program houses an array of animals including a wide variety of birds, different types of monkeys, reptiles, mountain lions, camels and much more.
Robert Huber, chairman of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Directors, said that he is very proud of all of the EATM students.
“This truly is America’s zoo,” Huber said. “I commend all of the students in this program. You’re a shining example.”
Each year EATM puts on many events featuring their students and animals, one of the highly anticipated shows they will be putting on is the annual Spring Spectacular. This event will feature an “Eye to Eye” which gives guests an up-close visit with some of the zoo’s animals, a “Kid’s Zone” which will have games, such as dig for buried treasure, and prizes. The show will also have special VIP tours available, raffles, food and, of course, the main event to be held on the main stage called the “Blazing Saddle”.
The Spring Spectacular will be held on three consecutive weekends in March: 13 & 14, 20 & 21 and 27 & 28. Showtimes for the main event are 10:15 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Children below the age of two get in for free.
For more information on the new building or the upcoming Spring Spectacular, visit www.moorparkcollege.edu/eatm.
