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Council expands operations in city

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE - The Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) is celebrating expansion in the city.

On Thursday, Mayor Michael Bissonnette and State Senator Michael Knapik joined VOC Executive Director Stephen Huntley in officially opening the new VOC preschool center at 374 Montgomery St.

And on Oct. 5, the VOC will host an "acquisition celebration" to mark its purchase of the former Mount Carmel School at 35 Mt. Carmel Ave.

Huntley explained the Montgomery Street preschool facility came about when the VOC was told it had to vacant the rooms it was renting in the Szetela School. Forty children had been served at that location and 46 are now at the new school.

The move also created one more teaching job, Huntley added.

The VOC moved into the new school on June 26.

"It's a really great place," Huntley said. "There is a huge need for quality preschool in the city of Chicopee," he added.

The Mount Carmel building will replace the VOC offices on Center Street and represents a "significant expansion," Huntley said.

The three story former school will house early education classrooms on the first floor, social service offices on the second and adult education facilities on the third.

The renovation of the building carries a $2.5 to $3 million price tag and Huntley said he hopes to move into the building in the spring.

"Many things have to happen between now and then," he said.