Buckeye Career Center breaks ground on new medical addition

Buckeye Career Center (BCC) has officially broken ground on its $6 million medical facility addition. The ceremonial groundbreaking was held  at Buckeye Career Center.

BCC was awarded a $2.85 million grant, in 2023, from the State of Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s Career Technical Construction Program to assist with funding the project. The new 11,015 square feet, state-of-the-art healthcare learning center will be located on the west side of the current building. 

It will include seven classrooms, restrooms, and storage to accommodate the high school Intro to Nursing, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technician programs. Furthermore, a brand-new medical clinic will be established to provide essential healthcare services to the public.

BCC Superintendent Bob Alsept addressed the crowd and explained that the project is a collaboration of many stakeholders who are involved in the effort. 

“This is not my vision, this is certainly our vision,” he said. “It’s a vison of our students, high school and adult, who make the decision to come to Buckeye Career Center because they want to change their life. They want to gain skills and go into a field where the need is great. There are lots of folks who have a vision or a dream, and tonight, that vision is reality.”

Ohio State Senator Al Landis, representing the 31st district, attended and spoke at the ceremony.

“Recognition of this event is a fitting tribute to BCC, for it has played a vital role in preparing countless people to meet the challenges of the future,” said Landis. He also commended Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted for their continued support of career technical education across Ohio. “They (state leaders) see what you can do. They know that you are good stewards of the money and that you are going to put out a quality product,” he said.

Landis also presented Alsept with a proclamation from the Ohio Senate to celebrate the event.

New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day, along with BCC Board of Education members, BCC administration and BCC staff attended the event. Construction on the project began in August, under the supervision of SoL Harris/Day Architecture and Massillon Materials serving as the general contractor. 

The project is expected to be complete in August 2025, ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.