Government Ministers Evans McNiel Rogers and Cora Richardson Hodge (with shovels) joined by ACC present and past presidents, ACC Board President and key project personnel.
ANGUILLA–The Anguilla Community College (ACC) is now a reality with the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, June 19, on land on Long Path Road.
Since the ACC came into existence ten years ago it has been in rented space. While it has capably provided educational training in classroom configured facilities, there has been a lack of much needed science laboratories and technical training facilities. These needs will be addressed with the construction of the new campus.
Karl Dawson, ACC President, welcomed all attending the groundbreaking, noting that the occasion was a significant marker on the institution’s life. He said, “This moment has been long anticipated, a day that we sometimes thought was right around the corner, and at other times, a day that we thought would never come. However due to the efforts of many, we are here today.”
Dawson said that construction of the first phase of the new campus will focus on workshops and laboratories, giving ACC the capability for more hands-on training, and ability to pursue training such as culinary training, and automotive technicians that up until now has not been possible due to the lack facility resources.
Cora Richardson Hodge, Minister of Education recognized Evans McNiel Rogers, Minister of Social Development who was in the audience. She said that Rogers, as the immediate past Minister of Education, had spearheaded and taken the lead to get ACC to where it is today. She said that breaking ground for the island’s first indigenous tertiary institution was indeed a historic day. Hodge said, “This day has been a long time coming,” and commended all stakeholders who continued to push and advocate for the project’s continuance despite many challenges.
Rodney Rey, Chairman of ACC’s Board of Governors wrapped up the formal remarks section of the programme by noting that his remarks would be short as he wanted nothing to further delay the commencement of the project. Saying, “Let’s get this project going,” he noted that ACC will finally have a purpose built facility for present generations and those to come which will have a demonstrable positive effect on the Anguillian community.
Following the brief ceremony, key members involved in the project joined Minister Cora Richardson Hodge and Evans McNiel Rogers in a group picture as they symbolically broke ground for the new building.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/88514-anguilla-community-college-breaks-ground-for-new-campus
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