Ground Broken on Marine Technology Center

Monday, September 28, 2009

It was a long time coming, but ground was finally broken Sept. 17 for the marine technology center where students will gain the much-needed skills for jobs in the region’s boat building and repair industry.

“At times it was really depressing because it looked like we weren’t going to get here,” said Dave Malseed of the Anacortes Marine Trades Association. “The goal was so right, we kept putting our shoulder to it and we arrived.”

Malseed has been an advocate for the satellite branch of the Northwest Career and Technical Academy since before it gained major support about three years ago from the state and the six Skagit County school districts now part of its consortium along with Skagit Valley College.

“There were key individuals who knew it was a good fit,” said Mike Swietzer, who along with fellow SVC marine technology instructor Larry Determan attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the South Basin of the Cap Sante Boat Haven.

Others there included NCTA Executive Director Donneta Spath and board members, Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell and other city officials, Port of Anacortes commissioners and staff, representatives from the local boat building industry and the person many credit with securing the state funds making the skills center possible, Rep. Dave Quall.

Quall thanked all the members of the NCTA board, the port commission, Anacortes School District Superintendent Chris Borgen, and particularly La Conner School District Superintendent and NCTA board member Tim Bruce.

“It takes a leader to make something happen and Tim is that leader,” Quall said. “It also takes — for those who know sports — it takes teamwork.”

Praise was also given to project manager Bryan Young, who spent hours studying the approximate 10 possible sites for the center, and Hutteball and Oremus Architecture, which developed the center’s design.

Sierra Construction Co., which was awarded the $5.6 million project contract in August, already had a construction fence in place and stood at the ready with a bulldozer during last week’s ceremony.

When the facility opens in September 2010, it will include four primary labs with adjoining teacher offices and physical and visual connections to a central project area that links to a covered outside work area.

The center will be a place where students can gain marine skills, enter the work force and have living-wage jobs, Borgen said. NCTA is good for students, industry and the community.

“There are kids who are not going to Stanford; they aren’t going to take interpretive dance,” said Port Executive Director Bob Hyde. “They need to do something with their hands.”

Joan Pringle, Anacortes American

 

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