Page 28 - Burke County NC 2023

UNC Health Blue Ridge

Expansions in Burke Respond to a

Strong and Growing Community

By Lydia Cobb

M any of Burke County’s cultural, CoMMA – has welcomed patrons to its proscenium inspire the human endeavors in the arts and sciences.
commaonline.org
educational, healthcare, and
stage since 1986. CoMMA presents concerts, plays,
recreational organizations are growing.
Whether they are expanding their physical plants Broadway musicals, and hosts public meetings, Welcome Inaugural Class of 2024
worship services, and private rentals in its service to
or expanding their program offerings, their growth the people of Burke County. In fall 2021, the new western campus of North
affects and reflects our overall quality of life. Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
“People who are looking or moving to the area welcomed its first students here in Morganton.
UNC Health Blue Ridge Adds Cancer find out CoMMA is a first-class performing arts NCSSM specializes in science, technology,
Center and More center,” said Sharon Jablonski, Director of the City engineering, and math.
The hospitals in Morganton and Valdese have been of Morganton Department of Cultural and Creative
serving people throughout our area for nearly 175 Development. “If you come from a larger city, you will For more than 40 years, the school has been
years. The UNC Health Blue Ridge system is making find the arts here.” opening doors of opportunity for talented young
significant investments in Burke County to upgrade North Carolinians from every part of the state
healthcare services for emergency and intensive care, A firm was recently hired by the City to conduct a through its residential school for 11th- and 12th-
and cancer treatment. master plan that analyzes where CoMMA will be in graders on the original Durham campus. The
five to 15 years with an opportunity for expansion. new Morganton campus ultimately expands the
A 6-story addition at the Morganton campus includes Accessible restrooms and facilities will be updated as opportunity to 300 more students each year. It
renovations to the Lobby Level for a new Emergency well as analyzing sound and space capacities. “We’re includes the renovation of a historic cattle barn that
Department, renovations of the 4th Level for the new making sure we are up-to-date and ahead of the now serves as a flexible multipurpose space for
school events and community activities.
Intensive Care and Progressive Care Unit, three shell curve, always looking to the future,” adds Jablonski.
floors for future expansion, and a rooftop helipad. The inaugural class at NCSSM-Morganton holds the
The current performance season is underway through distinction of being the first class to graduate from
Additions and renovations for the Lower Level of May, with special events and performances each the western campus come spring 2024. The class of
the Valdese Campus for a new 34,000+ square- season, in addition to their 3rd annual summer 2024 has the exciting mission to grow the school’s
foot Cancer Center will include a new infusion theatre camp for kids. clubs, some of which exist on the east campus, and
therapy and treatment area, medical oncology some new to the school, that enrich the lives of the
and radiation oncology examination rooms, Events Manager Amber Austin encourages people to students in this community. Among 22 of the clubs
consultation, and treatment spaces to include two step outside the comfort level of what they’re familiar voted into charter are NCSSM STEM Buddies (which
new linear accelerators, CT simulator, and superficial with in the theater. “Take a chance on something provides STEM opportunities to county elementary
x-ray. The new Cancer Center also provides you’ve never seen before. Sometimes the best shows school students), Amnesty International (which strives
space for education, support, and group therapy. are the small things,” she said. to end human rights abuses worldwide), and the
unchealthblueridge.org International Food and Culture Club.
Next time you’re downtown, take a moment to
CoMMA Spotlights Its Future view the Sacred Dance & the Muses fresco in the NCSSM-Morganton has realized $73 million in
One of the finest performing arts venues in the gallery ceiling by Benjamin Long. Viewing chairs with construction funding from the state with additional
Southeast is in downtown Morganton. The City reclining backs allow for extended observation of this support needed to complete the campus master plan.
of Morganton Municipal Auditorium – known as amazing work of art depicting the nine muses who ncssm.edu
24 Burke County Chamber of Commerce