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An agreement between Cambria County and Admiral Peary Vo-Tech has given more than two dozen students the chance to work on their largest project ever, officials said.
Vo-Tech Executive Director Ken Jubas said Friday that Cambria County commissioners reached out to him as they worked to secure funding to build a large pavilion at Duman Lake County Park, located off Route 271 between Belsano and Nicktown.
“We’re known for our student work” and have a great reputation, Jubas said. “We’ve been in discussions since last year” for the pavilion.
Jubas estimated that 20 to 25 students from the school’s masonry and carpentry programs will participate, along with some from electrical technology, welding and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
At least three or four instructors will be in charge of supervising the students’ work, he said.
President Commissioner Douglas Lengenfelder said the students, who are to complete the $15,000 grant-funded project, will build one of the new jewels of the park.
The pavilion is going to be larger and grander than existing pavilions, he said, and will overlook the lake.
The hope is that it will bring people to the park for more formal events like weddings.
Jubas said the project is slated to begin next week once the school finalizes plans for transportation and lunches.
“It’s one of our biggest (projects),” Jubas said. “It will take a lot of cooperation. … Everybody’s stepping up.”
Jubas said because the pavilion is for a county-owned space, everything will have to be up to code for wiring and building permits.
“It’s a real-life experience here. It’s the real deal,” he said. “This is going to be a big one.”
The students also are learning to work within the constraints of a budget, ordering the right supplies for the price and quality.
He said students plan to work on the pavilion every day and, weather permitting, they hope to complete the project by Thanksgiving.
There’s extra pressure because everyone knows the park and loves it, Jubas said, so the students are excited to be part of something important.
With a recent surge in interest for vocational education, Jubas said projects like the Duman pavilion help the school recruit students.
“It shows the kids you could do this for a career,” he said.