West Side donors help MJC expand

Ten acres near Patterson will help fulfill community college officials' dreams of expansion.

The Yosemite Community College District plans to extend services to West Side residents in 2010 by establishing a Modesto Junior College site just south of Patterson's sports park, YCCD spokesman Nick Stavrianoudakis announced Tuesday.

Farmers Jon and Tamara Maring and Lee and Debra Del Don donated 10 acres that bump up against Patterson's city limit.

"Patterson needs some white-collar employment and education facilities," said Maring, who graduated from MJC in 1981. "We thought the college was coming a few years ago, and that deal fell through. It's time it happened."

After working several months to acquire a 28-acre land donation from developer Michael Miroyan, the deal feel through last year when Miroyan failed to turn over the land title in time. The district no longer is considering Miroyan's offer, Stavrianoudakis said.

Instead, the district will pave a road to a plot flanked by almond orchards and processing tomatoes. Beyond furrows, the land is undeveloped.

"The site will allow YCCD to expand opportunity on the West Side in the areas of higher educational needs, transfer course work and technical education," said district Chancellor Roe Darnell.

Patterson stands to benefit from the school, too. An MJC campus may help entice businesses to Patterson because it would provide a training vehicle for employees, said Cleve Morris, city manager.

District board Chairman Abe Rojas called it a dream come true.

"The district's commitment to working with the West Side communities, along with the generos- ity of the Maring and Del Don families, should be an inspiration to Turlock, Oakdale and Calaveras," Rojas said.

The district plans to open campuses in those areas. Modesto Junior College would run the Patterson and Turlock sites. Columbia College would run the Oakdale and Calaveras sites.

Even with the donation, the Patterson campus is expected to cost $5.4 million.

In two years, three buildings should be completed. One of those buildings will be for general purposes, such as student services, computer labs, faculty offices and administration. The other two will house eight to 10 classrooms each. Together, they will replace and expand on what MJC offers the community now -- night courses in Patterson High School classrooms.

While the district is happy to receive the 10-acre donation, officials were looking for 20 acres, Stavrianoudakis said. Still, there is opportunity for expansion. Maring said he's open to selling more land.

Bee staff writer Eve Hightower can be reached at ehightower@modbee.com or 578-2382.