Leader Stuart Impressed with CAVC Expansion Progress; Looks Forward to Opening

State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, who serves as assistant majority leader and floor whip, toured the Collinsville Area Vocational Center expansion to see how construction is progressing. 


Her last look at the facility was January 8, 2026, when snow was on the ground and most of the building’s steel structure was in the welding phase. This week, she saw classrooms and workshops fully framed and undergoing electrical and HVAC installation.  


CAVC Director Joe McGinnis and Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, along with representatives of Holland Construction Services,  guided Leader Stuart through the facility.  The CAVC expansion, which broke ground in March 2025, is expected to be operational for the 2026-27 school year.  


Leader Stuart was an early and strong advocate for this project which aligns with the State of Illinois' focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE). She was instrumental in promoting the project in Springfield to procure funding.


"Our community will greatly benefit from this investment in CAVC, increasing class sizes from 500 to almost 1,000 students and expanding the scope of trades to study. The space is so impressive, and I’m excited to see the space when it’s finished!" said Stuart.


In 2023, the State of Illinois appropriated $25 million (SB 250; page 1024) to Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 (the governing board of Collinsville Area Vocational Center) for the expansion and renovation of CAVC.  Most of the funding is for the construction of the expansion, but a portion is allocated to renovate the existing facility to help bring in new vocational programs.


Once completed, the new and improved CAVC will serve as an important source of trained workers for employers in the trades, service industry, education and healthcare.  The result will be more opportunities for students, and a skilled workforce for current and future businesses.


“Representative Stuart’s efforts to secure funding for the CAVC expansion and renovation are becoming a reality, with the facility scheduled to open in late August or early September,” said Superintendent Dr. Skertich. 


“This project will provide students with valuable opportunities to pursue careers in the skilled trades, while also serving as a critical workforce pipeline for business and industry across the Metro East. We are excited about the immediate and long-term impact this investment will have on our students, our communities, and the regional economy.”


CAVC Director Joe McGinnis added, “We are excited to see the continued progress of construction as this project brings new opportunities for our students, workforce, and local economy closer to reality.”

 

The new CAVC was designed by FGM Architects.  Holland Construction Services is the construction manager.  The cost is projected to be $21,454,783 for the expansion, and an additional $3,082,831 for existing facility renovations.  Completion of the overall project will allow enrollment to nearly double to over 900 students annually.


The CAVC expansion is located at the intersection of South Morrison and Caseyville Roads in Collinsville, Ill. The property is located across from the existing CAVC building and Collinsville High School campus.