AP Breaks Ground on Adams 12 Five Star Schools' New Career & Technical Education Building

THORNTON, Colo., July 26, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Attendees gathered at FutureForward at Washington Square for the facility's groundbreaking ceremony on July 23rd. This new career and technical education campus, designed by Cuningham Group Architecture, will provide an additional resource for CTE students outside of the existing Bollman Technical Education Center (also being completed by Cuningham Group Architecture and AP).

After about 25 percent of students were turned away from Bollman Technical Education Center because of the limited space, the construction of a second centrally-located CTE campus was identified as a priority of the $350 million voter-approved bond that funds the project. The bond also provides money for a significant renovation of the district's existing Bollman Technical Education Center, near 88th Avenue and Washington Street in Thornton, CO. The district anticipates, through the construction of the new campus and renovation of Bollman, CTE programming opportunities for students could increase by as much as 80%.

Anticipated programming at the new campus will include existing district CTE programs such as construction trades, welding, an introductory diesel mechanic course and an EMT training program. New proposed programming includes criminal justice, forensic science and fire science programs as well as an advanced diesel mechanic program. Bollman, which opened in 1974, will continue to offer a medical science program, auto technician courses, engineering, graphic design, video production and computer science. Potential new programming is tentatively expected to include an auto body collision program as well as new manufacturing courses.

"Adolfson & Peterson wears a lot of hats in this work – both in terms of building the project and in training kids to be on the construction pathway," said Chris Gdowski, Superintendent of Adams 12 Five Star Schools. "We realize that having these relevant opportunities for our students to apply skills is invaluable. We can't wait for it to get started on this building."

In addition to parents, teachers and students, many organizations in attendance of the groundbreaking ceremony are mentors of the CTE students and hire graduates. For example, Thornton Police Department, Northglenn Police Department, Westminster Fire & Rescue, Denver Health, Thornton Fire & Rescue all attended.

The facility is expected to open in Fall 2020.

SOURCE Adolfson & Peterson Construction