Fletcher, Young Memorial getting needed money to build

The state bond commission recently approved $26.5 million in bonds for two Tri-parish schools in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, clearing the way for construction projects to begin.

L.E. Fletcher Community College will receive $21.3 million, while the Louisiana Technical College Young Memorial campus will get $5.2 million.

“This obviously is something good for the citizens and the students of the area,” said Fletcher Chancellor Travis Lavigne Jr. “It’s an opportunity for us to expand our facility allowing us to provide much better services to our students.”

Lavigne said construction is in the planning stages. “We have a master plan that we have developed and designed specifically to make projections on what will be needed for the future,” he said.

Fletcher’s master plan is slated for completion this month.

“It will give us a better idea of what our general building plan and campus development will be for the next year 15 to 20 years,” he said. “We have an architectural firm that is working on the plan right now.”

The Facilities Corporation, set up by the LCTCS board, will take over the design of the projects after the master plans are complete.

“Whenever the bond commission actually sells the bonds, the money will become available and then we can purchase property and begin developing our new campus,” Lavigne said.

Fletcher has its sights set on property in the Gray area. With a new building, Fletcher hopes to expand its academic programs, the chancellor explained. “Our technical programs are accommodated, but we have no space available on the campus to offer new academic programs,” he said.

Young Memorial intends to build a campus adjacent to the existing one in Morgan City, according to Campus Administrator Laurie Morrow. “Right now, we are at our capacity, which is not a bad thing because in recent years our enrollment has increased. But we need somewhere to house all our students,” she said.

The building will house the school’s occupational department and its services. Young Memorial’s master plan is slated for completion in mid-February.

“This is an exciting time for our community and technical colleges,” said LCTCS President Dr. Joe D. May. “These new facilities will enable us to not only meet the demands of Louisiana’s driving economy and labor force, but to exceed them, creating a sustainable workforce for the 21st century.”

The construction projects are a result of Senate Bill 337, sponsored by Sen. Robert Adley (D-Benton).

“We should not lose sight in this meeting or at anytime of what the main purpose is. The issue is that Louisiana needs a skilled workforce,” Adley said in a release.

All of the construction projects are slated for completion by 2010, according to LCTCS officials.