COD breaks ground on its long awaited Indio campus expansion

The long-awaited expansion to College of the Desert's Indio campus is one step closer to becoming a reality. School officials broke ground on the project Monday morning.

College and community leaders turned the ceremonial first shovels of dirt for a three-story, instructional building, and pavilion.

The 67,000 square-foot building will feature classrooms, a café, offices, science labs, a student success services center, and open study and collaboration areas.

The expansion will double the size of the Indio campus, which will accommodate the growing demand in the east valley.

Daniel Rodriguez is a student at COD and lives in Indio. He doesn't drive and often uses public transportation to get to the Palm Desert campus. At times his total commute can last nearly an hour. 

"Just a lot more time loss and time that could be using for-- you know students for studying," said Rodriguez.  "Just having the expansion for more students to have that opportunity, and become more practical for students, to like, achieve these things."

The new facilities are expected to open in Fall 2023, school officials said.

"We are committed at College of the Desert to offering academic and educational opportunities to all of you close to your home," said COD Superintendent/President Martha Garcia, Ed.D. "The expanded Indio campus will create a dynamic learning space capable of meeting the educational needs of east valley students for years to come."

Garcia said about 5,000 students from Indio and Coachella attend COD.

In addition to the expansion of the campus, COD will also build a 17,000-square-foot Child Development Center at a recently acquired property across the street from the Indio campus, which is located at 45524 Oasis Street.

According to the school, the new building will include toddler and preschool classrooms, an outdoor play yard and shade structures, as well as observation and support spaces required for a modern facility.

The existing instructional facility on campus will also be modified.

The project will cost approximately $113 million, which is paid for through Measure CC bond funds, approved by voters in 2016.

Indio city officials said COD Indio campus expansion will also help the City of Indio grow.

"We're super excited about it as part of our revitalization of downtown along with apartment complexes entertainment, restaurant, commerce," said Mayor of Indio Waymond Fermon. "It's going to put bodies down here to eat, live and work here in downtown Indio."