Kirtland Community College Completes Sale of Roscommon Campus to Accommodate a New Residential Outreach Facility for Adolescent Males in Northern Michigan
Roscommon, MI (November 1, 2023) – Kirtland Community College is excited to announce the sale of its Roscommon Campus, paving the way for a transformative development in Northern Michigan. The Kirtland administration has received overwhelming support from community leaders and agencies for the establishment of a treatment center tailored to young males facing addiction and other significant barriers to success, filling a critical gap in the region.
“The Kirtland Board of Trustees has been very committed to find a buyer that will put the campus to good use,” said Kirtland Community College President Dr. Thomas Quinn. “It has taken a long time to find the right buyer, but nevertheless, they have succeeded in finding one.”
Currently, Northern Michigan lacks a facility catering to the specific needs of young males in this underserved population. However, following extensive construction and remodeling efforts, the Roscommon Campus will serve as an ideal location for this groundbreaking center.
The facility will offer educational programs, potentially articulating to Kirtland courses in the future, for young people, including those court-ordered or admitted by their families. Moreover, the new owners are committed to providing training in various trades, utilizing the three skill shops on the campus grounds.
“Kirtland is thrilled to see the goals of the new owners-they intend to help young people create new goals and overcome difficulties,” said Quinn. “We look forward to the possible collaboration in the future with these new owners, in providing education opportunities to young people.”
This significant development will not only benefit the community by addressing critical issues but also create jobs during the remodeling phase and construction of housing for the center’s residents. Job opportunities will continue to emerge for treatment counselors and various professionals operating the facility, positively impacting the local economy.
Simultaneously, Kirtland has also taken steps to secure the future of vital services by selling a permanent lease for the cell phone tower located on the property, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for citizens and the campus owners for an extended period. The influx of employees to the area will also lead to an increase in taxable assets for the Roscommon community.
Kirtland has agreed to sell the Roscommon Campus, with all proceeds going towards enhancing the college’s resources and expanding opportunities for future students. While the specific utilization of these funds has not yet been determined, it is certain that they will contribute to Kirtland’s mission of education and community development.
In alignment with its commitment to community and collaboration, Kirtland will be returning the shooting range acreage to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and constructing a new facility on the Grayling Campus. This new range will be open to the public within specified hours, further enhancing the campus’s accessibility and community engagement.
Kirtland Community College’s legacy in the community dates back to 1966 when citizens of the C.O.O.R Intermediate School District approved its establishment. Since then, Kirtland has been a pillar of education and progress in the region, with numerous milestones, such as the construction of the Health Sciences Center in 2014, the completion of phase three of construction in 2022, and the addition of student housing in 2023.
“Kirtland is pleased that the new owners intend to utilize the Roscommon Campus in a manner that positively impacts the lives of young individuals and offers support to their families,” said Quinn. “It is a consensus among the community that there is a distinct absence of a facility serving this critical purpose in northern Michigan, and the need for such a center is evident.”
This latest development at the Roscommon Campus embodies Kirtland’s ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the community, creating opportunities, and strengthening the bond between the college and the residents it serves.
About Kirtland Community College
Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000.
