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New BOCES Campus a Modern Marvel
Click below to see the new BOCES campus.
New Campus
Students in every program at the Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Educational Cooperative Educational Services Regional Education Center have something new to look forward to when the new BOCES campus officially opens its doors on Sept. 5.
The $43.5 million project, that broke ground 15 months ago, has added everything from a state-of-the-art greenhouse, diagnostic imaging for motorcycles and automobiles, 40 hair stations for cosmetology and a brand new kitchen for culinary arts — plus other things like custodial closets, bathrooms, changing rooms and a cafeteria.
“What this building says to students is that we value their education here,” said Gary Gilchrist, BOCES superintendent.
Most of the 192,000-square foot first floor is tiled in green with natural light shining from more than 210 windows. All but one classroom is occupied for the year, Gilchrist said. Classrooms and meeting rooms are equipped with projectors and are technologically accessible.
Classroom east, in the east wing, features a computer lab, gymnasium, multi-purpose room and area for day treatment services such as high school students needing to fulfill the half-credit physical education requirement to graduate, and the career and technology wing. Classrooms, lockers, changing rooms, restrooms and storage areas have been built into every career and technology workroom. BOCES purchased new machines and installed exhaust systems to ensure quality air.
Classroom West features state-of-the-art facilities for day treatment, special education, central receiving, instructional support, distance learning and copy service.
The day care center features two playgrounds for both infants and older children. The new facility also has a nurse's office - previously in a large storage room in the old campus on Route 34 in Auburn - and a cafeteria - previously in a small storage room and classroom.
The 8,000-square foot second floor will house offices for labor relations, business and administration. It will not be completed until October.
“As a building, the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES has gone from the one of the worst buildings in the state to one of the best,” Gilchrist said. “This is going to enhance the things we've been doing well in the old building. It will give us the opportunity to expand some of our programs and give students and teachers a worksite that is comfortable and efficient.”
The new facility, located on West Genesee Street Road, is also 42 percent more efficient than standard code, said Dave Boyle, assistant superintendent of finance. The building - built to be environmentally friendly - is equipped with geothermal heating and cooling.
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