Cathy Osten

Senator Osten Welcomes State Bonding for Three Rivers C.C. Student Center and Library Renovations

NORWICH – Four years after receiving nearly a million dollars to renovate its tutoring center, Three Rivers Community College in Norwich is set to receive an additional $4.78 million in state bonding to renovate about 25,000 square feet of space in its student center and library, state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) said today.

The State Bond Commission is scheduled to meet via teleconference at 10:30 a.m. this Friday, July 23, to approve the funding, which was approved by Democrats in the General Assembly in 2009 as part of that year’s state bonding bill.

That year, Democrats approved setting aside a total of $11.6 million in the future for building renovations and additional facilities at Three Rivers in accordance with college’s master plan of development.

“The legislature had the foresight over a decade ago to set aside money for improving and expanding Three Rivers, and these renovations are coming at a great time, just as we are opening up our community colleges in Connecticut to more students by offering free tuition,” Sen. Osten said. “Not every high school student in Connecticut is going on to UConn or a four-year state university. Some are going to get their degrees and enter the workforce after two years at Three Rivers or one of our other great community colleges, and this state support will make their experience there more enjoyable and productive. It’s a great state investment in southeastern Connecticut and its residents.”