Leaders in the marine industry say a skills center here will bring a skilled work force to the community, help businesses expand and hopefully attract new businesses to the area.

Supporters of the Northwest Career and Technical Academy’s Anacortes marine technology building spoke at the Planning Commission’s May 27 meeting.

Tim Bruce, La Conner School District Superintendent, said a marine education facility has been a dream for the past 20 years.

The Anacortes facility would serve 11th- and 12th-graders as well as college students and adults.

“You are the heart of the marine industry here in our region,” Bruce said.

The Northwest Career and Technical Academy is requesting a conditional use permit to build the school at the Port of Anacortes’ 6-acre Parcel 1, located east of Q Avenue between 17th Street and Seafarers’ Way.

The property is zoned commercial marine.The Planning Commission continued the hearing until its meeting at 7:30 tonight. A site visit is at 6. The City Council is scheduled to hear the permit request June 15.

According to planning documents, the proposal includes the construction of a single story 15,120-square-foot building with classrooms, labs, an assembly area accommodating up to 140 people, administrative offices and a 2,600-square-foot storage building.

Four main labs will be organized around a central project area. 

Future expansions may include a lecture/administrative building of about 4,200 square feet and lab expansion of about 3,800 square feet.

Organizers expect to welcome the first class in September 2010.

Dave Malseed, Anacortes Marine Trades Association, students will learn marketable skills and possibly go on to get a two-year degree at Skagit Valley College in the viable marine industry.

Howard Bean, owner of North Harbor Diesel, added his support for the project. He opened his business 21 years ago and said his biggest problem in growing it is finding skilled help.

Bob Hyde, port executive director, said the center will give the area an economic edge because there are just a handful of such facilities in the nation.

“This is the right facility at the right place at the right time,” Hyde said.