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CHAMPION -- Trumbull Career and Technical Center officials expect to break ground in the next few weeks on their $2 million equine program building.
TCTC Director Paula Baco and Superintendent Jason Gray said at Thursday's board meeting that work is set to begin soon, weather permitting. They will relocate the horses in the current barn to the indoor riding building while the larger complex is constructed.
Baco said temporary stalls have been created in the arena building.
She said the project drawings are being reviewed for approval by the Trumbull County Engineer's Office since the project involves adding sewer lines.
The project will be put out for bids for electrical and other construction work.
The plan is to have the first phase of the project completed in the fall, according to Baco.
She said the barn is one project that has been "long awaited."
According to Anina Karlovic, supervisor of industry and trade at TCTC, the new equestrian center / barn will have 12 horse stalls and will be located on the eastern property of the campus, where the current barn is located. The new barn will also include offices, classrooms, a riding area, hot and cold water and restrooms. The current riding arena will be attached to the new building. The building also will be handicapped accessible.
"Everything will be under one roof," Karlovic said.
The current barn has been at the center since the 1980s.
FUNDS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS
In other business, the center has received funding to offer special summer programs and camps for local youth in grades seventh to ninth.
Baco said the programs have been offered for more than 10 years but were not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A $6,000 grant from the Foundation of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association will be used for the one-week "Nuts and Bolts and Thingamajigs" summer manufacturing camp.
That camp is set for June 10 to 14.
She said grant funding is making the manufacturing-themed camp possible. Welding and engineering courses will be offered.
The career exploration camp will be held June 3 to 6. The entrepreneur camp is for grades fifth and sixth.
Both camps will be open to Trumbull County students at the designated grade levels,
Also, the center received a $3,000 Lead4Change grant to be used for purchasing supplies and materials for training project initiatives.
Have an interesting news story? Email Bob Coupland at bcoupland@trbtoday.com.