Learning center in Corcoran’s future

The long-awaited Corcoran development looks as though it will be a reality -- and soon -- officials say.

Rich Merlo, Corcoran Unified School District superintendent, called it an "unofficial likelihood" that the district and city in mid-May will receive a $3 million grant from the Economic Development Administration that will fund nearly half of the construction costs.

Merlo said groundbreaking on the technology learning/job training center is tentatively set for late June. And the center's opening is planned for February or March of 2009.

The center is a partnership between Corcoran and its schools, which enabled the project to receive a "joint-use grant" from the California Department of Education for $2 million. The 21,000-square-foot center will be built on part of the Corcoran High School campus on the corner of Whitley and Sixth avenues.

Another $1 million in funding came from the Corcoran Community Foundation. It is expected the center's construction will cost about $7 million.

The center will be used to train students, adults and members of city agencies, such as the police department. Other services will be offered such as English as a Second Language classes, job placement, distant learning and office skills.

"Things are moving along well," said Ron Hoggard, Corcoran city manager. "It's something that the community is very excited about and we see a lot of potential use for students and for adults.

"It's just a needed element in our community."

Immediately after the center's opening, its first uses will include moving some of Corcoran High's vocational classes to the innovative facility. In 2009-2010, College of the Sequoias classes will likely be offered at the center.

"We're just waiting to get started," Merlo said. "We're happy with the fact that it looks like it's going to happen."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(May 4, 2008)