EHOVE investing $12M+ in expansion

Erie Huron Ottawa Vocational Education (EHOVE) Career Center, a public vocational school in Milan, is investing over $12 million to upgrade its facility. The project entails 37,050 square feet of new space being added on to two buildings on the campus, as well as renovating 16,400 square feet of space of the existing space.

Sharon Mastroianni, superintendent of EHOVE, noted that EHOVE needs current and updated training spaces for its existing Career Center programs in a range of fields. In addition, there is an increase in enrollment district-wide for both high school and adult education, as well as additional space needed for expanded sophomore programs.

The project is expected to start construction in March 2019 with planned completion in July 2020. Mastroianni noted the project will have multiple phases to not impact daily operations and have “swing space” throughout. The Collaborative, based in Toledo, is the architect for the project and Adena Corporation, based in Mansfield, is the construction manager at risk.

When speaking of the project as a whole, David Jenkins, operations director of EHOVE, said, “We are adding space on to two existing buildings and creating career and technical training labs for our culinary, early childhood, teacher academy, criminal justice, and fire / EMT programs. We are also updating and renovating the existing media center, cafeteria kitchen, and student dining areas. It is important to the EHOVE board of education that as many local contractors work on the project as possible. We have worked with our construction manager to pre-qualify local firms for all areas of the project. This will be an investment for our students as well as the surrounding community as a whole.”

Notable features being added to the facility include state-of-the-art career and technical training labs and related classrooms; various simulators including an ambulance rig and Force on Force trainer; use of natural light in all areas; student collaboration spaces; enhanced security for the Early Childhood Center and Young Chef’s Inn; and advanced audio/visual technology in all instructional / training spaces.

The building, according to Jenkins, is also being designed to the ENERGY STAR standard. The effort to meet this standard includes using LED lighting and ENERGY STAR rated electronics, using energy efficient culinary equipment, and combining HVAC systems in existing spaces with new areas to minimize additional utility expenses.

Rendering of the EHOVE Career Center expansion project

Rendering of the EHOVE Career Center expansion project

“The expanded training labs will allow us to enhance the educational environment for the students in these programs. It will also allow us to expand our offerings in the culinary fields for both high school and adult students. Hospitality and tourism are an important part of the local economy and the expanded facilities will help us meet the needs of area employers for a highly trained workforce. We will also be able to expand our programs available to sophomores, which will allow them to start training for a career a year earlier,” said Mastroianni.

“This is a great opportunity to support the northern Ohio workforce through the design of an updated Career Center. The possible renovations and additions will provide additional programs to help keep talented people in the region,” said Dave Serra, principal at The Collaborative.

EHOVE serves high school students from member districts across Erie, Huron, and Ottawa Counties (16 member districts), as well as adult learners across northern Ohio. The school currently has 875 high school students and 2,000-2,500 adult education students per year. Mastroianni noted that the enrollment has been steadily increasing over the last several years as well.

In total, EHOVE offers 23 programs to its students, as well as offering college credit. These programs include auto technology; business and marketing; career-based intervention; career exploration; auto collision and refinishing; computer network technology; construction technology; cosmetology; criminal justice; culinary arts; diesel technology; early childhood education; electrical technology; engineering tech; explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); exercise science and rehab therapy; Fast Forward, a program for students who have attended high school for two years, but have earned insufficient credits to get back on track for graduation and meet criteria to enter one of EHOVE’s career tech programs; firefighter / EMT; industrial technology; job connections; medical careers; teacher academy; and visual and interactive media technology.

Mastroianni noted that in the area, the majority of job opportunities are found in manufacturing, medical, construction, public safety, and travel and tourism.

“I am excited for the project to begin. It will create amazing educational spaces for our high school and adult education students and allows us to continue to provide a highly trained workforce for area employers,” concluded Jenkins.