Work On Facility That Where Students Could Learn The Care Of Large Animals Could Begin Soon

By SHAWN R. BEALS
The Hartford Courant

SUFFIELD — - It's been on the books for nearly 10 years, but it appears that work on a facility at Suffield High where students could learn the care of large animals could get going.

The board of education last week approved a scaled-down version of the facility, to be built with part of a $5 million grant awarded almost a decade ago for the regional agriscience curriculum. The board acted after schools Superintendent Jack Reynolds said he fears that the district's time to use the grant money is running out.

"It's time to either send [the money] back or build the building," Reynolds said recently. "We have a small window of opportunity to either build it or lose it."

The facility would be an important part of the agriscience program because it would add zoology to the curriculum, Reynolds said. Students would be able to learn how to care for animals such as sheep, livestock or alpacas.

The 11,000-square-foot, $2 million facility would contain animal housing, classroom areas and demonstration areas, according to the board-approved description.

Part of the $5 million grant has already been spent to cover a greenhouse and the purchase of 10 nearby acres that will serve as access to town-owned recreation fields and will be used for the agriscience program. More will be spent on the construction of a bridge to the fields and machinery.

The new large-animal facility would give students the opportunity to bring in their own animals for lessons in such subjects as sheep shearing or to schedule veterinary demonstrations, Reynolds said.

The agriscience program draws students from eight towns, including Suffield.

http://www.courant.com/community/suffield/hc-suffield-animal-facility-110.artnov08,0,700387.story