To most people, the initial construction of the indoor Powerline and Construction
Maintenance Technology facility looks like holes in the ground.
To Ed Salazar, Western Nebraska Community College's Powerline and Construction Maintenance
instructor, those holes look like a game changer for his program.
"I know what this is going to look like, so just seeing these holes in the ground is very, very exciting," Salazar said.
Construction is now underway on the indoor facility that will allow WNCC Powerline and Construction Maintenance Technology students to train indoors during inclement weather. The projected is expected to be completed by Labor Day.
"WNCC is very excited about investing in the powerline and construction industry and
to be working with our partners to create an environment and quality school that will
increase the effectiveness in the industry here in the region," said WNCC President
Dr. Todd Holcomb.
The addition of an indoor facility, which will include 50-foot tall ceilings and dirt
flooring to accommodate powerline poles, not only provides the program more instructional
consistency, but also will be key in the program's recruitment efforts, Salazar said.
"Having an indoor training facility sets us apart," Salazar said. "It puts us up there
with the elite. With this, we can keep guys closer to home from this area, which is
the vision of the people who started this program."
Funds for the project, which has a budget of $800,000, were raised during the WNCC
Foundation's comprehensive campaign WNCC Works: Expanding the Possibilities. The campaign
focused on addressing areas of need within the community, specifically industries
with a retiring workforce.
"It's always exciting to see projects like the indoor facility break ground, which
doesn't happen without local partnerships," said WNCC Foundation Executive Director
Jennifer Reisig. "The addition of an indoor facility will be a huge benefit to the
students within the Powerline & Construction Maintenance Technology program, and in
turn, the communities in our region."
To apply, or for more information on WNCC's Powerline and Construction Maintenance
Technology program, contact the admissions office at 308.635.6010 or by email at admissions@wncc.edu.