College Advances Plans for Ben Clark Training Center Building 2A
Moreno Valley College is moving forward with plans for the Ben Clark Training Center (BCTC) Education Building 2-A project, a significant expansion designed to meet the growing needs of the School of Public Safety.
As the only training facility of this magnitude in the region, the Ben Clark Training Center plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of public safety professionals. Demand for these programs continues to grow, with many offering clear career pathways and strong job placement rates for graduates.
The project will add a new two-story facility spanning 19,100 assignable square feet, primarily dedicated to laboratory space, faculty offices, and a physical education and shower area. The new building will feature 15,100 square feet of lab space, 1,200 square feet of office space, and 2,800 square feet of other support areas. Class lab service space will include EMS lab logistics, with dedicated high-fidelity simulation training rooms for emergency medical services and emergency management students.
This expansion will reduce the college’s reliance on leased modular and lab space from Riverside County and provide a permanent, state-of-the-art facility aligned with Moreno Valley College’s and the School of Public Safety’s master plans.
Every year, the MVC Education Center trains more than 250 emergency medical technicians, about 50 paramedics, and 80 firefighters through its EMS and fire academies. Over the last three years, students who have successfully completed an MVC fire or EMS academy have obtained employment in the public safety sector within three months, many even receiving job offers before completing their programs. In addition, MVC trains more than 120 correctional officers, more than 200 sheriff’s deputies, and more than 50 dispatchers annually.
In March 2025, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office granted conditional approval to MVC to create a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, the first program of its kind in California’s public higher education system. Set to launch in fall 2026, the degree is projected to graduate about 50 students annually for leadership roles in public safety. One additional bachelor’s program is in development, which would bring the total number of bachelor’s degrees offered at the MVC Ben Clark campus to two.
“The Ben Clark Training Center Education Building 2-A will provide critical space to enhance our public safety programs,” said Phillip Rawlings, dean of instruction for public safety education & training. “This expansion is an exciting step that will directly meet the growing regional demand for trained professionals, support student success, and ensure our graduates are ready to serve the community from day one. It will also increase capacity and modernize our facilities.”
The project sits on land secured through a long-term ground lease agreement with Riverside County, preserving space for future growth, including a planned Education Building 2-B.
The total project budget is $56.4 million, funded through $15.9 million in state capital outlay and $40.5 million from Measure CC.
Hussain Agah, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and development, noted, “Taking on innovative projects like the Ben Clark Training Center expansion reflects our District’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge educational facilities across our colleges. It is a vital investment in the future of public safety education.”
Key project milestones include completing preliminary plans by December 2025, finalizing working drawings by October 2026, and aiming for occupancy by summer 2029.
A presentation on the project was given at the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees committee meeting on Aug. 5, 2025. Final approval is anticipated at the board’s Aug. 19 meeting.