Ground breaking ceremony scheduled for Cambridge Campus, Aug. 16 - Public welcome!

Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) continues to position the Cambridge Campus for future growth with its recent purchase of approximately 21.5 acres of contiguous property bringing the total campus acreage up to nearly 121.

“The purchase of this space means the college can grow along side the community it serves,” says Michael Seymour, Vice President for Administration. “The short term plans for this property include the addition of recreational fields for students and community use as well as a demonstration site of the prairie grass and wild flowers that provides a natural learning environment and extends the Spirit River Nature Trails.” (Find out more about this trail system at http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/prairie.)

The land purchase comes at a time when enthusiasm is building at the Cambridge Campus due to the upcoming groundbreaking of a 34,000 square foot state-of-the-art building addition.

“We invite the public to celebrate educational excellence for East Central Minnesota along side students and employees of Anoka-Ramsey Community College,” says Patrick M. Johns, President of ARCC. “It was these citizens and local legislators, especially Representative Rob Eastund and Senator Sean Neinow who gave this project the momentum it needed make its way to the Governor’s desk for approval.”

This $10.4 million capital request will be funded as part of the bonding bill signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty on April 11. This addition will include computer labs, nursing labs and general classrooms, renovated science labs, and an improved technology infrastructure. The addition will also feature a large multi-purpose room available for community use as well as a large lecture hall.

ARCC will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Aug. 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., and construction is scheduled to begin soon after. Once complete, the college may demolish its two pole-constructed buildings on the west side of county road 70. These 23-year-old pole-constructed buildings were originally built for temporary use.

The College has also started the predesign phase for two additional construction projects at the Cambridge Campus and two additional construction projects at the Coon Rapids Campus.

For more information on the ARCC Cambridge Campus Building project, contact Michael Seymour, Vice President for Administration at 763-422-3430. For more information about Anoka-Ramsey Community College or to register for Fall Semester, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.