$4 Million dollar renovation project will contain space for both music and arts programs; Building #1 addition moving along

Construction is moving ahead smoothly on renovating   #15 on the Prescott campus and construction the addition to building #1. Renovation  is currently estimated to cost a little over $4 million for building #15. (Earlier budgets put the figure at $5 million) The College hopes to complete construction by January 2018. The cost of the completed building #1 project is unclear.

In the final Master plan, there was a recommendation that Building #15 be renovated for additional rehearsal space and for additional storage space for the music program. You may click here to read the updated master plan. 

The Master plan states that “The music program at Yavapai College continues to grow and be a source of pride for the campus with its focus on the arts. The existing facility contains only one large rehearsal space, which is shared between both instrumental and vocal disciplines. This results in the search for rehearsal space, which often extends to the community room, making it unavailable for the community at large as was originally intended. The Campus Master Plan recommends the addition of a proper rehearsal space, with attention to the acoustical requirements needed for such a space.”

The Master plan goes on to state that “because Building 15 is shared with some visual arts programs, storage is  also an identified need for the two programs. Land exists immediately adjacent to the existing Building 15 making this the ideal location for expansion.” It also states that “The housing would be placed adjacent to the existing housing and in close proximity to the food service in Building 3. An extension of the green space network on camps will further tie the new halls to the remainder of campus.” 

The project is a part of the renovation and improvements program that was approved in December 2013 as a part of the $103,500,000 ten-year development plan. Below are drawings submitted to the Governing Board explaining the project.  

Administration continues spending millions on buildings, parking lots, etc. on Prescott Campus (and elsewhere)

The College Administration spends from $6 million to $8 million dollars a year on various capital projects. All of the revenue comes from primary property taxes and student tuition. Compared to other educational institutions in Arizona, it is awash with revenue.  

For example, the District Governing Board was provided the following capital construction plan for the summer, 2017  at its April 7, 2017  meeting.  It is impressive and this list  is just for one campus.

The sketch was provided to the Governing Board in its agenda by McCarthy Smith Group JJR.

Video provides snapshot of recent construction and renovation paid for by County property taxes

Few taxpayers in Yavapai County have any real idea about how their property taxes that are paid to the Community College are being used.  The fact is the College administration is spending millions of dollars of it on construction projects throughout the County.  It has taken from $6 million to $8 million every year and rather than put it into education programs, it has diverted it to construction projects.

By far the greatest spending is occurring on the West side of the County, especially on the Prescott Campus and at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC).

The following four-minute video provides a snapshot of some of the construction that has occurred or is occurring  solely  on the Prescott Campus. It is amazing.