Today Waubonsee Community College announced plans for a new downtown Aurora campus. The college, in a joint press conference with the City of Aurora , released details on a new campus that will expand Waubonsee's ability to provide educational programs and services to Aurora residents and businesses.
In cooperation with the City of Aurora , the college hopes to acquire the Hoyt Property at 32-44 West Galena Blvd. , which is directly west of the Fox River in downtown Aurora . The college intends to construct a new facility on that site.
"The City of Aurora has stepped forward to assist the college in the development of an expanded college facility in downtown Aurora ," announced Dr. Christine Sobek, WCC president. "Their partnership with the college is fundamental to accomplishing our mission to serve students and community residents. Waubonsee wants to increase the scope and depth of its educational programs and economic development services. With additional space we will be able to work toward achieving that goal," she added.
Aurora Mayor David Stover said that Waubonsee's expansion plan supports Aurora 's economic development vision of creating a downtown education and training center. "Their services and programs will bring direct and indirect benefits to the local economy by meeting the educational and training needs of a larger percentage of Aurora residents, thereby improving employability and local standards of living," explained Stover.
"Waubonsee has proven its ability to create and implement a comprehensive development plan as evidenced by the success of the current Aurora campus that has served as a solid downtown anchor since it opened in 1986," Stover related. "The City of Aurora is pleased to have an opportunity to once again partner with the college on a significant redevelopment project."
Under the terms of an intergovernmental agreement, the city council would vote to transfer ownership of the Hoyt property for a nominal amount. Final approval is expected to take place before the end of December.
The expansion plan also focuses on the acquisition of other nearby private properties. The privately-held parcels are bordered by Galena Blvd., Downer Pl., and River St. "Some tentative purchase agreements for the adjacent properties are now in progress and the college is hopeful that others will occur soon," added Sobek.
Depending upon the success of the land acquisition process, construction would begin in 2006 on the new facility.
An initial $7 million in funding for the expansion plan was approved by voters through the successful passage of referenda in November 2002 and April 2003. However, implementation of the Aurora campus vision will require supplemental funding sources, including funds in the college's Operations and Maintenance Restricted fund, federal and state grants, and private sources.
Sobek said that Waubonsee students, staff and faculty devoted a significant amount of time this summer and fall to identify key issues, needs and dreams to work toward developing a new vision for the college's Aurora facility. "The Aurora campus is a critical component in our overall 2020 College Master Plan. We see tremendous growth potential in terms of serving students, business, industry, community organizations and residents with the types of programs we could offer at this location," Sobek said.
Sobek also indicated that a series of community meetings will be scheduled by the college over the next three months to gather further input that will help shape the programs and services offered at the location.
The college would expand its traditional offerings with Centers for Excellence that focus on emerging community needs and employment growth and vitality. Areas for consideration could include small business development, healthcare and manufacturing, among others. "There would also be an expanded range of transfer courses and short-term career offerings to help people enter new careers, improve skills, raise their standard of living, and be able to continue their education toward a degree or further education," outlined Sobek.
Waubonsee would continue to provide comprehensive adult basic education (ABE), general educational development (GED), and English as a Second Language programs to meet the demonstrated needs in those areas. "We want to enhance our programs aimed at transitioning people completing their ABE, GED or ESL classes into higher-level college programs that lead to certificates and degrees in career and transfer areas," she added.
Sobek also sees the expanded Aurora campus playing a role in creative partnerships that would bring together the educational resources of the area schools, corporations, social service agencies, professional and labor groups, and community-based organizations. "Through effective partnerships we can collectively offer the best education and training that addresses residents' real needs and aids residents in eliminating the physical, social and economic barriers that impede success." |
