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2016-2022 EDUCATIONAL AND FACILITIES MASTER PLAN
BACKGROUND CHAPTER 1 – BACKGROUND

venture projects similar to a currently planned joint staff since 2002 and developed an extensive faculty Just three months earlier, the master-planned com-
project with Los Angeles County Fire to train first and staff professional development program to munity of Valencia had been born, luring people
responders in a specialized facility in Del Valle. ensure that employees have the skills and training from Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley
they need. with homes priced at about $25,000. In communi-
The College’s academic climate incorporates a ties now called Saugus and Canyon Country, an
“can do” spirit that has traditionally positioned it College of the Canyons is dedicated to being a ever-growing assortment of tract homes was sprout-
to create new programs and curriculum needed by leading two-year college recognized locally, region- ing. The old Highway 99 was being circumvented
important segments of the community, to partici- ally, statewide and nationally for its technical ad- steadily by a major north-south freeway, Interstate
pate in partnerships designed to accomplish more vancement, institutional effectiveness, student sup- 5, which would cut a swath through the Santa
together than they can alone, and to “think outside port, model academic and professional programs, Clarita Valley.
the box” when it comes to providing enterpris- excellence in teaching and learning, student access,
ing and unique solutions to challenges, seen and broad range of community partnerships, and sense Housing, retail establishments, recreational ame-
unforeseen, that lie ahead. of community provided to students and staff. nities, and industrial centers were at hand. And,
following California voter approval seven years
With enrollment continuing to rise, flexibility and HISTORY earlier, plans were moving forward for a major new
innovation are needed in planning for new academ- In 1967, when the Santa Clarita Community State Water Project reservoir at Castaic. All of these
ic, occupational and athletic programs, additional College District (SCCCCD) was founded, the developments helped transform the area into a rap-
training partnerships with business and industry, as community looked very different from the valley idly growing suburbia, one that would need a local
well as the facilities to house them. that exists today. On November 21 of that year, the institution of higher learning.
voters of the Santa Clarita Valley overwhelmingly
To meet the increasing demand, the District has approved the creation of a junior college district A DISTRICT IS BORN
significantly increased the number of faculty and and elected a five-member board of trustees. By the summer of 1968, the trustees of the as-yet

College of the Canyons in 1970

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