Sinclair OKs two new branches
Education centers in Englewood, Huber Heights
By Mark Fisher
Dayton Daily News
DAYTON | Sinclair Community College's trustees on Wednesday approved education centers at the Englewood and Huber Heights YMCAs.
The trustees' unanimous vote paves the way for Sinclair President Steven Lee Johnson to enter into a contract with the YMCA of Greater Dayton to build classrooms at the two Ys in northern Montgomery County.
Sinclair officials expect construction on the "Fast Track Learning Centers" to begin this summer, with classes offered perhaps by spring 2006.
Sinclair will lease the facilities, projected to cost about $2 million each, from the YMCA.
The college, which surveyed residents of northern Montgomery County before going ahead with the plans, wants to attract prospective students who might not make the 20-minute-plus drive to downtown Dayton to start their college careers.
"You can't believe how much excitement there is in Huber Heights, and I know in Englewood, too," said Huber Heights City Manager James Pierce, who attended the Sinclair board meeting along with Englewood City Manager Eric Smith.
The YMCA of Greater Dayton's board of directors already has approved the partnership unanimously, CEO Tim Helm said.
The 15,000-square-foot centers will house nine classrooms, a bookstore and lounge area and offices as well as separate, additional parking.
A telephone survey of 400 residents in Englewood, Huber Heights and the surrounding area suggested that about 15 percent of residents would be very likely or somewhat likely to take classes at the Sinclair/YMCA learning centers, but would be less likely to take classes at the college's downtown campus, Sinclair officials said.
Sinclair trustees also discussed efforts to expand southward with a significant increase in the college's offerings in Warren County.
Trustees and college officials are waiting for final language in the state's two-year budget bill that could pave the way for the expansion, including the possible addition of Warren County representatives to Sinclair's board of trustees.
