Ground broken for new training center

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hugh & Byrnes Young Marine & Petroleum Safety Training Center proved to be a sentimental moment for attendees Wednesday at the Morgan City Auditorium.
The Morgan City Auditorium was an alternative location for holding the groundbreaking ceremony. Because of construction preparations, the ground was too muddy for the event.
“This project is passionate to me because some of the buildings we bulldozed (are where) I started teaching class 15 years ago or so,” said Young-Memorial Campus Director Earl Meador. “It was well worn out when we bulldozed that thing a few weeks ago.
“It’s an important time.”
Louisiana Community & Technical College System Board Supervisor Vinney St. Blanc reflected on his days as an agriculture teacher at Centerville High School.
They started a welding program and did not have the money for it. But his principal, Jessie Robicheaux, had a son who taught welding at Young Memorial.
St. Blanc got students to board a pick-up truck and ride over to Young Memorial. Robicheaux’s son would give them metal for welding.
“From there (Centerville) became one of the best agriculture high schools …,” St. Blanc said. “We built the biggest and best ag department, and we leaned on Young Memorial.
“My commitment is to St. Mary Parish and especially to this school.
“As long as I’m on this board, this school will have its equal opportunity. This city will have an equal opportunity with all of them in the state of Louisiana.
“This is where I’m from. This is where my heart is and I represent the whole state but my heart is here in St. Mary Parish.”
The Marine Department at Young Memorial started in 1960 aboard a boat. The boat, called the Pelican, was tied on Front Street.
Between 1960 and 1972, it was called the Marine Park. Training mariners began there as the offshore industry started growing.
In 1972, the department moved to the Young Memorial Campus. Over the years, the department has been housed in portable buildings.
Weimer Gros Flores LLC Architecture & Interior Design is the firm responsible for the new training center building plans. B.E.T. Construction Inc. is the assigned contractor for building the site.
Both companies are based out of Thibodaux.
“The architectural character of the building was designed to reflect the nature of the boat industry it serves,” said architect Kevin Gros of Weimer Gros Flores LLC. “In the marine industry, there’s a lot of painted steel and metal on the building.”
The contract cost to build the new center is $2,931,775. It is an energy-efficient “utilitarian” classroom building for the marine operations safety program.
It is 12,225 square feet.
Construction is set to be completed in 240 days, ending July 5.