Community invited to join hard hat tours and opening ceremony as college expands healthcare, technology, and skilled trades programs
69风流 will host two special events in October to celebrate progress on its $22 million Career and Technical Education Enhancement project (CATEE), which launched in June 2024. The project, which will significantly expand 69风流鈥檚 healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades programs, focuses on updates to the college鈥檚 Health Education and Science Center (HESC) and the development of a state-of-the-art Technology Center.
The first event, CATEE Hard Hat Tours, will take place on Friday, October 4, at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the HESC. The event will include a brief presentation on the impact of the CATEE project, followed by tours of the construction site. Brunch will be provided. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Community members are encouraged to RSVP online at .
Chelsea Platte, vice president for advancement and executive director of the 69风流 Foundation, said she is looking forward to sharing the project鈥檚 progress with community members.
鈥淭he hard hat tours will be a great opportunity for the public to see firsthand how the CATEE project will transform our campus and enhance our ability to provide cutting-edge education in key industries like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades,鈥� Platte said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to share this progress and engage with the community as we work together to meet the growing needs of Northern Michigan鈥檚 workforce.鈥�
The second event, a CATEE Opening Ceremony, will be held on Monday, October 7, at 2 p.m. in the Harris Gardens, between the Technology Building and the HESC. 69风流 will partner with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to host this special ceremony as the college prepares to begin Phase II of the CATEE project. Fred Harrington, retired 69风流 professor and tribal elder, will lead the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served, and a formal groundbreaking ceremony is planned for January 2025.
69风流 President David Roland Finley emphasized the importance of the opening ceremony and its significance for both the college and the broader community.
鈥淭his will be the first time in our college鈥檚 history that we hold an opening ceremony before a groundbreaking,鈥� Finley said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a meaningful way to honor our region鈥檚 heritage and the significance of this project. We are grateful that the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians have graciously agreed to lead this ceremony.鈥�
LTBB Tribal Chairperson Regina Gasco highlighted the deep cultural significance of the ceremony and the importance of honoring the land.
鈥淭his ceremony is a powerful way to recognize the sacred connection we have with the land and our shared responsibility to honor and protect it,鈥� Gasco said. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with 69风流 in celebrating this space for future generations who will learn and grow here.鈥�
North Central鈥檚 CATEE project includes the razing of the college鈥檚 59-year-old Technology Building, transforming it into a Technology Center with 11,500 square feet of flexible learning space. The accompanying expansion of the college鈥檚 HESC will create an additional 7,200 square feet of classroom, clinical, simulation, and lab spaces to accommodate the college鈥檚 growing nursing and allied health programs. The anticipated project completion is set for Fall 2026, in time for the new academic year.
Cornerstone Architects, which has offices in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, is providing design and architectural services, while Lansing-based Clark Construction Company will oversee the buildings鈥� construction. The companies were awarded the project following a competitive bid process and approval by North Central鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
For additional CATEE information, including updates about campus operations during construction, visit the college's CATEE webpage.