COD President announces plan for automotive training center in Cathedral City

Those who gathered for the annual "state of the college" luncheon Wednesday were the first to learn about plans for a lot just off East Palm Canyon Drive and Margot Murphy Way in Cathedral City.

College of the Desert President Dr. Joel Kinnamon discussed the plans for building a training center and classroom space for students studying automotive mechanics at COD.

"While new facilities are very impressive what really excites us are some of the new programs we're creating which inspire people to create tomorrow," said Dr. Kinnamon.

The lot purchased last semester is adjacent to the Cathedral City Auto Center and right next door to a new dealership now under construction.

The automotive classes currently taught at COD in Palm Desert will all be moved to the new location, which is "still in the design process" and about three years away from completion.

"Students are going to have a great opportunity to participate. They will be able to work. They will be able to do internships right there in the Auto Center," said Marion Champion, Public Information Officer for College of the Desert.

During the luncheon, Dr. Kinnamon said the training center in Cathedral City and other planned expansion projects would not be possible without valley voters approving "Measure CC" in November 2106.

It was a bond measure providing nearly $580 million to "modernize career training facilities" and repair aging classrooms.

"College of the Desert is the number one training ground for our workforce here in the valley. Doing this with automotive is one step further in that direction," said Champion.