You'd never know the Adult Learning Center was inundated during last summer's devastating flood.
Staff and students returned this school year to a building that actually looks a bit better than the one they had before.
"It took away the grocery store/bar/butcher shop feel," commented director Jennifer Kraft, as she showed off the new building last week. An open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at the Adult Learning Center building, located at 1609-4th Ave. NW. The open house is open to the public.
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Andrea Johnson/MDN
Jennifer Kraft shows off the refurbished Adult Learning Center.
The Adult Learning Center building was a grocery store back in the 1970s and Kraft said the pre-flood building still had that look. Remodeled, the post-flood building has new carpeting, classroom space, a break room for staff, a break room for students with a stove that can be used for community education cooking classes, and a more spacious feel.
The newly refurbished building improves the learning environment for students and teachers there, said Kraft.
"I'm so excited," said Kraft.
Some of the renovation work is still ongoing, but fall classes have already started in the building, said Kraft.
"We couldn't wait (to start classes)," she said.
The Adult Learning Center spent the previous school year in temporary quarters in portable classrooms at Jefferson Early Childhood Center. Things went well, but teachers and students are glad to be back in their own building.
The Adult Learning Center offers GED classes, English language classes, citizenship classes and college prep. classes for people who want to brush up on their academics before enrolling in college.
Community education classes are offered through the Minot Public Schools community education program and include a variety of topics. This year some of the classes include lefse making, rosemaling, as well as yoga.
More information about the Minot Adult Learning Center classes and Community Education classes can be found at (sc.minot.k12.nd.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectiondetailid=32022&) or by calling the Adult Learning Center at 857-4488.
Kraft said the Minot Adult Literacy Volunteers are also currently holding a fundraiser at the center and are selling donated adult and children's books for under $1 apiece.