CVTC GRAND OPENING
Thursday, January 13th, 2005 -- 10:51 AM
What once seemed like a long dream became a reality yesterday as area leaders and school officials officially christened the Chippewa Valley Technical College Neillsville Center at a Grand Opening celebration.CVTC President Dr. Bill Ihlenfeldt said the cooperation CVTC received from the City of Neillsville and the Listeman Foundation was ?unprecedented? and received a check from Neillsville School Board President, and CVTC Board member, Walter Wetzel for $200,000. That money was donated through the city by the Listeman Foundation; the 5-acres of industrial park space was donated by the city.
"I don't believe we've ever had one that was completely bought and paid for by the time it was occupied," Ihlenfeldt said after the ribbon-cutting.
And the current 3,700 square foot facility could be just the beginning.
Ihlenfeldt said the Center will allow students to start and complete programs in Neillsville and will likely lead to more programs ? and possible building expansion - down the road.
"On the forefront will be a new program: Medical Assistant," Ihlenfeldt said, "They're a cross-trained person who knows a little bit about lab, a little bit about X-ray - they're certified nursing assistants and can work in nursing homes. That will start this fall."
CVTC officials will also be looking at childcare classes, welding classes, cosmetology and more.
Joan Walker is Academic Services Director with CVTC?s Neillsville Center. She says the building, which includes a classroom that can accommodate 24 and a computer lab with 18 stations, is a big improvement and brings Neillsville up to speed with the latest technology.
"I no longer have to travel to Eau Claire all the time for meetings," Walker said, explaining she can use new technology to interact with people. She also says many programs are "streamed" over the internet, and the computer lab accomodates those students.
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