Wilkes Community College Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Driving Pad Training Facility

Wilkes Community College Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Driving Pad Training Facility

 Wilkesboro, N.C. – Wilkes Community College celebrated the completion of its new driving pad with a ribbon cutting ceremony held Friday, March 20 at 8 a.m. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance hands-on instruction for public safety and workforce partners.

The newly constructed driving pad measures approximately 180 feet wide by 515 feet long and will serve as a dedicated training space for multiple college programs, including Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), law enforcement in-service driver training, EMS, and Fire and Rescue emergency vehicle operations. The facility provides a controlled environment where students and professionals can develop and refine critical driving skills necessary for real-world emergency response.

In addition to supporting academic programs, the driving pad will also be available to regional industry partners for fleet training needs, including fleet management operators, further strengthening the college’s commitment to workforce development and community collaboration.

Prior to the construction of the new facility, the college relied on off-site locations for driver training, including a partnership with Lowe’s using a warehouse parking area in North Wilkesboro, and earlier, the driving track at Freedom High School. The addition of the on-campus driving pad provides greater flexibility, safety, and accessibility for training programs.

“This new driving pad allows us to better serve our community by providing high-quality, hands-on training for the professionals who keep our region safe every day,” said Dr. Mike Rodgers, President of Wilkes Community College. “It directly supports our mission to improve lives through education and workforce development, while advancing our vision of being a leader in responsive, community-focused training opportunities.”

For more information about the driving pad or public safety programs at Wilkes Community College, please visit wilkescc.edu.

Ribbon cutting ceremony

Driving pad with serpentine course set up for driving demonstrations

WCC Police and EMS vehicles on the pad

WCC Emergency Driving Pad Ribbon Cutting

About Wilkes Community College

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC has a proud history of meeting the educational, cultural, and workforce needs of our community. As we look to the future, Wilkes Community College provides programs, resources, and services that create quality educational, economic development, and cultural opportunities. WCC aspires to be an effective, learner-centered institution and a dynamic learning organization, preparing students for success in a changing world.