It was almost two years from the time Collin College began developing its master plan to the day voters approved the bond issue that will fund the plan, but it was worth the wait.
Proposition 1, a $600 million bond referendum, passed on May 6 with more than 56 percent of the countywide vote, paving the way for the college to move forward with its comprehensive master plan. Three out of four precincts voted in favor of the referendum, an indication of local residents’ strong support for the college and its decision to add several new facilities and a wider range of academic and workforce programs over the next decade.
“An exciting new era has dawned at Collin College, and we are grateful for the community’s support,” said Dr. Neil Matkin, district president.“Our master plan will now become a reality, allowing us to serve more students, residents, and businesses than ever before.”
With the passage of the bond issue, the college will address a number of key priorities. Several new facilities will be built, including a public safety training center already under construction in McKinney. Other projects include a technical center in Allen, a campus in Wylie, educational centers in Celina and Farmersville, and an information technology center at the Preston Ridge Campus in Frisco.
The public safety training center is scheduled to be completed next summer. Planning and design for the Wylie campus and the technical center in Allen began in May and will continue until the start of construction, which is scheduled for the fall of 2018.
“The Wylie campus will enable us to directly serve the rapidly growing population in southeastern Collin County,” said Dr. Brenda Kihl, executive vice president. “At the technical center in Allen, our partnerships with area school districts and companies will open doors to more lucrative and meaningful career options for high school and adult learners.”
Dr. Bob Collins, board chair and founding member of the Collin College Board of Trustees, called the vote a “win-win” for the college and the county.
“The programs and facilities included in the master plan will enable us to truly serve all of Collin County in the future,” said Collins. “That’s been a goal of ours since the college was founded, and it’s exciting to know it’s about to become a reality.”