Recently published 184 page Appendix to the Master Plan shows Prescott based executives continued infatuation with sports programs and wasteful sports projects that serve almost exclusively west county residents
If you want to know what the Yavapai Community College Prescott based executives are thinking about when it comes to long-term future development in the District, a good place to start is the recently published Facilities Master Plan Appendix to the Master Plan. The Appendix shows a determination by the Prescott executives to spend an estimated total of around $7 million on a new soccer field and athletic expansion.
The investment in the soccer field will apparently be made despite the fact there is no need for such a facility. The College has for decades successfully leased two soccer fields – one in Prescott and another in Prescott Valley. Playoffs have been held at those venues. For example, over 5,000 attended the NJCAA National DI Soccer Tournament held in Prescott and Prescott Valley back in 2018. Moreover, the College completed building a practice soccer field in 2020 on the Prescott Campus at a total direct and indirect cost that it has yet to publicly reveal.
District needs for other areas of the County such as expanding the existing CTE facility on the Verde Campus, converting classroom M-137 into a 300 seat auditorium, or adding two kitchens to the Sedona facility find no future consideration. The future needs of Chino Valley and Prescott Valley likewise seem to have been ignored.
Other educational needs throughout the District are likewise being ignored. For example, the Prescott Campus has developed a large music and theatre curriculum. However, music and theatre can be found only on the Prescott Campus – a roundtrip drive for some in the District of 150 miles or more.
Note that the long-term plans as outlined in the Appendix for the Yavapai Community College District were not discussed at the November 2022 meeting where the Governing Board met and approved in concept what appears to be a five-year development plan (maybe seven year). That plan did not include the soccer field and several other projects one can now find in the recently published Appendix to the Master Plan.
Note that The Appendix to the Master Plan and the Master Plan appear somewhat confusing in terms of projects, timing, and cost estimates.
The Appendix to the Master Plan and approved Master Plan are available to read at the Community College website.
