Senate construction budget includes money for BCC, Newcastle YMCA

The proposed capital budget announced by leaders in the state Senate this week includes $1.6 million for the Coal Creek YMCA in Newcastle and $4.4 million for a new Health Science Building at Bellevue Community College.

“It’s important that we invest in these facilities both because they create jobs and because they provide opportunities for the future,” said Sen. Fred Jarrett, a Mercer Island Democrat pushing the projects in the Legislature.

Jarrett represents the state’s 41st Legislative District, which includes part of Bellevue.

The 49,000-square-foot YMCA facility is scheduled to open this fall at a cost of $20 million.

Jarrett said the BCC funding “will help improve capacity for health and science education” at the community college as part of what could be a banner year in the Legislature. Lawmakers also are considering allowing BCC to begin offering four-year degrees, something Jarrett said will “allow Bellevue Community College and the state to work together to provide more education opportunities for Eastside residents.”

The House has proposed its own capital budget proposal. Differences must be reconciled before a final version is sent to the governor’s desk.