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The Community Education Center:  A Place for All
by Barb Olsen

“The Community Education Center project is exactly the kind of innovative 
public-private partnership that Wisconsin often leads the nation in 
creating.  I’m proud of the coordinated efforts of the city of Madison, the 
Madison Metropolitan School District, the business community, and the 
neighborhood groups involved.”- Governor Jim Doyle



	I can’t wait to look out the back window of my home on Colony Drive and see 
the new Community Education Center (CEC).  As a Parkwood Hills resident and 
a member of the Board of Directors for the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center 
(WRNC), I am very excited about the potential of this Center. The 12,000 
square foot Community Education Center, a project of WRNC in partnership 
with Madison Metropolitan School District and the City of Madison, will be 
built on the grounds of Jefferson Middle and Memorial High Schools.  It will 
not only become the new home for WRNC, but will also serve as a much-needed 
community center for the west side of Madison.

	Early supporters of the endeavor recognized the promise within the CEC 
concept.  As a first-of-its-kind effort, a change in Wisconsin law was 
needed to move the project forward.  The bill, authored by State Senator 
Fred Risser and co-sponsored by Representative Steve Freese, passed 
unanimously, making this partnership and a long-term lease on school grounds 
possible.  Parkwood Hills residents were among the many who spoke in support 
of the innovative project, which also received unanimous approval from the 
Madison School Board.

	The Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center, currently located in three 
overcrowded, converted apartments in the Wexford Ridge neighborhood complex, 
has been serving low-income students and families for over 20 years.  Given 
its space and budget constraints, WRNC’s  achievements  are even more 
remarkable. Acclaimed  programs are led by Executive Director Paul Terranova 
with assistance from a dedicated professional staff and wonderful volunteers 
from many organizations, neighborhoods and businesses. Imagine the 
possibilities when this successful cooperative effort moves to the new 
Center!

	The CEC was designed by local architect Doug Kozel of Kee Architecture.  It 
will be an attractive, Green-Built, multipurpose facility with flexible 
space including a large activity room, a Commons area, offices, classrooms, 
a kitchen, a young children’s room, and a food pantry.  The CEC will make 
new  programs available to a wider range of people. It will provide a very 
convenient location for popular MSCR classes for seniors in our area, as 
well as programming for young children. The CEC will be available for 
neighborhood meetings, scout meetings, club meetings, enrichment classes, 
and many other gatherings. It will serve as a place for volunteers to share 
their time and talents with others. It will be a community space where 
people of all generations can meet, share and learn together.  This 
exciting, visionary partnership will serve as a model for our city and far 
beyond.

	Parkwood Hills residents have played an active role in the Wexford Ridge 
Neighborhood Center through the years with their volunteer and/or financial 
contributions.  You are invited to join our Parkwood Support Team, take a 
tour of WRNC’s current home, and/or attend an informational meeting about 
the Community Education Center at my home on Tuesday, June 13th, at 7:00 
until 8:00 pm.  Please call me (Barb Olsen) at 833-6762 to RSVP.  I can tell 
you from personal experience that all of us who are involved get much more 
back than we give.

At WRNC, the philosophy is that every person is of value, and every person 
has something to contribute. You can feel it when you walk through the 
doors.  For more information, visit 
http://www.madison.com/communities/wexford/.

..

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