Project to construct the new Roanoke County Career & Technology Center officially begins
Updated
With nearly a hundred people in attendance, a group of more than two dozen people broke ground on Sept. 9, 2024, to mark the start of a project to construct an all-new Roanoke County Career and Technology Center (RCCTC), which will last just over two years and will replace the existing Burton Center for Arts & Technology, located in Salem.
“What began as a vision five years ago, today becomes officially becomes reality. We break ground today and look forward to the site and beautiful new building taking shape over the next two years,” said Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ken Nicely.
The entire Roanoke County School Board and Board of Supervisors joined school and community leaders, staff, parents and students to formally begin the construction of the $75.8 million dollar center. When completed in late fall 2026 to early winter 2027, the new RCCTC will provide more than 123,000 square feet of state-of-the-art instructional space, about 34,000 square feet larger than the current Burton Center for Arts & Technology.
Dr. Lisa Coons, Virginia superintendent of public instruction, was on hand for the groundbreaking. “I’m really honored and excited that Roanoke County has taken this step to make sure the very best cutting-edge opportunities are available for all five high schools [in Roanoke County].”
“It’s a great opportunity, and there are so many innovative spaces that we can be in now, and so many innovative opportunities that our children are going to have the opportunity to explore, experience and hone-in on really what they really want to do,” Dr. Coons added.
“It’s a wonderful day to be a Roanoke County student,” said Brent Hudson, chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. “For generation after generation, this building is going to serve so many kids. It’s going to create jobs for kids right here in Roanoke County,” Hudson said.
“Roanoke County Public Schools is recognized in Virginia as a leader in Career and Technical Education. In this next chapter that has now officially begun, we are working with regional partners to take CTE programs and training opportunities to the next level by providing a modern facility in which students not only learn knowledge and skills and earn industry-recognized credentials, but also acquire ‘opportunity ready’ skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, citizenship, and critical thinking that employers demand in today’s workforce,” Dr. Nicely added.
“Today, we break ground on more than just a building. We break ground on a future filled with opportunities for learners. Let’s all continue to work together with passion and dedication to ensure that the Roanoke County Career and Technology Center is the standard for educational excellence, progress, and innovation for generations to come,” said Christian Kish, principal of the Burton Center for Arts & Technology.
“This is an exciting day for Roanoke County,” said Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil North. “I’m proud that we were able to secure funding for our school system, ensuring the educational needs of our students,” said North.
