Why a Bond?
The college spent a year examining the condition and needs of its facilities; interviewing students and staff in order to understand what improvements would have the greatest positive impact on the learning environment and bringing in industry experts to assess the physical conditions of college buildings. The findings led the college to focus facility improvements on four areas of greatest need.
1. Increasing Demand for Training Programs
There are local, regional, and national shortages in high demand skilled occupations like, welding, construction, aviation maintenance and more, that the college provides. These programs need upgrades to existing facilities in order to expand offerings.
2. Student and Staff Safety
Safety and security infrastructure, like cameras and automatic lock down systems, are in need of replacement and upgrades to better safeguard our campus community in the event of an emergency.
3. Outdated Classrooms and Labs
Classrooms and labs need technology upgrades in order to support students planning to transfer to four year institutions, students gaining workforce training, and high school students striving to earn college credits early.
4. Building Improvements Enhance Efficiency, Extend Lifespan
Building systems like roofs, siding, and HVAC across the college need repairs and/or replacement. ADA accessibility upgrades would provide equal access to public buildings.
What has CGCC used bond funds for previously?
The Columbia Gorge Community College has used voter approved bond funds to update facilities and programs according to the CGCC Facilities Master Plan. Please see the below graph for a timeline of how funds were spent and how proposed Measure 33-111 would continue the college's plan.
