Central Community College held ribbon-cutting ceremonies on March 24 to officially open its new Holdrege Center location, (CCC, Courtesy)
HOLDREGE — Central Community College held ribbon-cutting ceremonies on March 24 to officially open its new Holdrege Center location.
The new center is located at 424 West Ave. and features a new nursing lab, computer lab, classrooms, a community room and five rooms that can be rented by outside organizations.
“This was a $1.95 million project and this community stepped forward with $778,000 in support,” said CCC Foundation Executive Director Traci Skalberg said at a ceremony before the ribbon cutting. “That’s not just support, that is ownership. It’s pride. It’s investment in the future of Holdrege.”
Diana Watson, regional director of the Holdrege Center, thanked the center’s community partners. They are Phelps Memorial Health Center, Phelps County Development Corporation (PCDC), Janssen Auto Group and Holdrege High School. Watson also accepted a congratulatory certificate from the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jeff Hofaker, PCDC executive director, told the attendees how the leadership of the Holdrege Center and the students who utilize it combine to improve the community.
“Leaders at this center are passionate about helping the students succeed, acquiring new skills and information about how to improve their lives,” said Hofaker. “Students become better citizens when they aspire to grasp higher levels of education. This action helps communities thrive and become stronger over time.”
Anika Scheele, a junior at Holdrege High School, provided an illustration. She was enrolled in a certified nurse assistant course that was taught at the Holdrege Center last fall. Scheele hopes to become a nurse and said a big reason for her career choice came after the four surgeries she’s had.
“During this time, all I saw from nurses and doctors was care. I never felt like I was a burden to them and they were always willing to help,” said Scheele, who added that her mother also influenced her choice. “She is a (physician’s assistant) and she has always been helpful to all patients. She has always shown me that with people who need help, we have to be patient and kind. She helps me through all my medical struggles and I appreciate her for that so much.”
Central Community College has had a presence in Holdrege since the mid-1980s before opening the original center in 1995.
