HOLLISTER (California) FREE LANCE

November 17, 2008

Migrant camp also to get new court, playground

 By Colin McConville

HOLLISTER - When many migrant farm workers return to work in the fields of San Benito County, they will have access to a new kitchen facility and bunkhouse at the migrant camp on Southside Road.

Capital projects manager Theresa Yee the upgrade is especially important because it will "provide better services to the farm laborers."

The camp is divided into two different sections, an "unaccompanied adult labor camp" and a "migrant center." The first is also know as the migrant camp and offers two dorm facilities for single workers and a dilapidated kitchen, while the other facility serves families.

The third bunkhouse will add 88 beds in 22 rooms. In addition to the dorm building and kitchen, there will be some other new amenities at the camp as well. And although the family migrant camp will be without a daycare center, it will have a brand new lit basketball court and improved playground by next spring.

"It will be nice to have a new dining area and recreation area. There will also be a new laundry facility," said Janelle Cox, acting public works director.

She noted how there will be a covered patio area outside the kitchen and a new shower area as well.

Funding for the project has been from community block and farmworker housing grants since 2000. Cox said funding for the project totals around $4 million and has been used in different phases. Officials finished plans and specifications Nov. 4 and will accept bids starting Dec. 8.

The need for these projects, she said, arose when the grants came in and the three dorms previously at the site had to be torn down.

"The buildings were so out of code, they had to be torn down," Yee said.

Much of the reusable materials from the kitchen will go toward other capital improvement projects, said Cox, noting how the stove, which is in good working condition, might be brought to another camp or state facility.

She expects the buildings will be done before the start of the primary farming season.

"Work on the camp will be done during the off-season," said Cox, adding how there might be some overlap into July.