City celebrates expanded Learning Center

Two years ago, a group of community members, a local business and staff at the Shafter Learning Center met with a dream of expanding the Shafter Learning Center.

Flash-forward to two years later, and the City of Shafter, together with the Shafter Learning Center and GAF Roofing Materials, cut the ribbon on the new expansion.

On Wednesday, March 16, the public was invited to check out the new facility, with a new outdoor shaded space, along with new classrooms, a lab for technical classes, as well as a new activity area where people can relax with a book, do homework or play a game.

Education Partnership Director David Franz welcomed everyone to the ribbon cutting ceremony before having Andy Hilton, CCO of GAF, say a few words. Hilton recalled how an event was held in that same parking lot two years ago, inviting the public to give their input on what they would like the new expansion to have in it. Several ideas were given and those ideas were included in the finished product.

"We are so proud to be working with GAF, the Shafter Learning Center and the community on this project. We now have this wonderful facility and our own city-owned library," said Mayor Cathy Prout.

Bakersfield College has also been a part of the new facility. They already offer a few classes at the library and Learning Center, but with the expansion, they are hoping to increase their services and classes that they offer.

There are schedules available at the Shafter Learning Center's website, listing the options children and adults alike have for utilizing the services and classes offered at the Learning Center. Among these classes are Science, Cooking Science, English, Computers, and more.

Franz said this project would not have been possible without the efforts and cooperation from so many agencies and individuals, including the City Council, GAF Roofing, the Shafter Learning Center, volunteers from the community and the support of the entire city of Shafter.

"We have something that will become a model for other cities who are wanting to create an opportunity for their communities, showing that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and great leadership," Franz said.