Western Center renovation timeline eyed as bonds mature; district reports $85,000 welding grant and applicant figures

Keith, representing the Western Montgomery Career & Technology Center, updated the board on recent planning for renovations and program growth at the Western Center.

Keith said architects from GKO presented concepts for expansion and reorganization of the building to accommodate more program offerings. He said bonds that funded the last renovation will be payable in 2028, giving districts time to plan financing for any larger project. "Minimum $40,000,000? ... So we're we're looking probably 40 to 60,000,000," Keith said when asked for a range of renovation estimates.

He announced the Western Center received a competitive $85,000 grant that will go toward welding equipment and said the director has been in talks with Lincoln Electric about using the center as a training site. Keith reported acceptance letters had gone out for next year's students: 361 applicants and 221 accepted.

Board members asked for further financial planning and timeline work with the business managers from the three partner districts; no final action was taken at the workshop.