BROOKFIELD — The Brookfield Board of Education has approved moving forward with roof work for a planned 17,000-square foot community learning center to open in the former Tiffany’s Banquet Centre off Bedford Road.

The board at a Thursday meeting approved a contract with Holko Enercon Inc. at $96,615.

School Superintendent Toby Gibson said with the roof project the center is nearing completion and is expected to be open for the 2026-27 school year.

He said a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be set in August.

Gibson said the project will involve making repairs and replacement of parts of the roof.

The community learning center will be a short distance from the district’s administrative offices and the school campus.

Gibson has said the district has been in talks with different organizations and agencies such as SCOPE and veterans groups to provide programs and social services to local families.

He said a goal would be to have people at the center who can help visitors with questions and direct them for information.

While planning the center, school officials reached out to other communities with centers such as Campbell which has the Community Literacy, Workforce and Cultural Center, to see how they rent space and provide to the community.

The school board sought public input on what people wanted to see and what services are offered and provided at the center.

Gibson has said grants can provide offerings for parenting courses, mental health issues, suicide prevention, wellness and crisis support. He said in addition to local families, school staff and students also will be able to use the center.

The board took ownership of the building in 2025.

The district had received $1.5 million in grant money from the Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program for remodeling and various equipment. The board also approved an $250,000 Eastgate Appalachian Regional Commission grant for equipment for the center project, which is estimated at $799,957.

Officials said the local and state match to the project is $549,957, secured through the board’s funds, which includes a $414,258 grant from Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

The 17,000-square foot building was constructed in the late 1980s and sits on 2.87 acres.

Gibson has said STEM and career technical education classes could be offered at the center in addition to a community meeting room. The center will be controlled by the district and be open to the community with medical and public agencies offering services.

Board members have said the center will include an “e-sports” facility and several new classrooms and labs.

Gibson said plans are to move the robotics and manufacturing labs currently located inside the high school library into the center, which will take up 2,200 square feet.

District leaders say the facility will help prepare students for the workforce, especially those who aren’t interested in college.