SANTA MARIA - The foundation has already been laid for a bigger and better Allan Hancock College thanks to voters six years ago who passed Measure I.
"Truly it was a gift to not only Allan Hancock College but really to the future of our communities here in Santa Maria, Lompoc and the Santa Ynez Valley", says Hancock College Board Trustee Hilda Zacarias, "that the voters in June 2006 said yes to investing over 150 million dollars in new buildings to house this educational institution."
There's the new 60,000 square foot, one-stop student center and a new industrial technology center on the west end of the Santa Maria campus as well as other projects funded by the bond measure.
"We're all excited on campus about all the new buildings", says AHC Athletic Director Kim Ensing.
Ensing says Measure I, together with other fundraising efforts, is bringing new facilities for AHC Bulldog student-athletes.
"With a new baseball field, we'll have new football fields", Ensing says, "we'll have a new track, new soccer fields, so there's a lot going on that we're excited about."
"We will not have to fight so hard when it comes to competing with some of the other community colleges relative to recruiting the student athlete", Ensing adds.
Board Trustee Zacarias says the new projects will allow the college to expand its mission for generations to come.
"Making sure we are meeting the needs of our current population while at the same time building this larger ship that will be filled with new constituents", Zacarias says, "so its very exciting."
Construction has also begun on a new law enforcement and public safety academy at the Allan Hancock College Lompoc Valley campus
