The Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg is planning to add a veterinary science program to its educational offerings, and has hired LPA to design their new facility. The new veterinary science training program building will be roughly 7,500 square feet and is slated to open for the 2017/2018 school year.

The project presents a unique learning opportunity; the vocational school will give students hands-on experience in their chosen field of study that will also benefit the school and future students in the new program. Most of the work of constructing the new facility will be done by students under the supervision of their instructors over the course of the school year. Students will be responsible for framing, roofing, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing as part of their vocational curriculum. Much of the site work, which will not be done by students, has been donated, as have many of the materials needed to complete the job.

Monty Tech has partnered with Tufts University and Becker College, who are helping with the programming as the facility is designed, and will provide staff support once the clinic is in operation. The clinic will be open to the public during school hours beginning in September of 2017.

LPA staff members are working with the school now to have all the pieces in place to ensure excavation for the foundation can begin in July. The project has been scheduled so that students can begin building the facility at the start of the next school year in September.