April 28, 2008

 

Contacts:

Daryl Grove, COT Carpentry Program, 247-3052
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269
Lacie Vermulm, Home Builders Assocation of Billings, 252-7533
Carol Korzek-McKenzie, Montana Real Estate Brokers, 698-6389

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — For some Montana State University Billings students, homework really was a two-letter word this year.

 

And this week, they’ll show just how well they did on two houses that showcase that learning.

 

MSU Billings College of Technology carpentry students and faculty will be hosting two open houses on Thursday, May 1 that will display the skills they learned during the year. First-year carpentry students will be showing work they did on a COT modular home from 2:30-4 p.m. The modular home is located at the School District 2 Career Center just east of the COT at 3803 Central Ave.

 

COT House 2

Second-year carpentry students and faculty will host an open house from 6-7:30 p.m. at a home that was constructed through a partnership between the COT and the Home Builders Association of Billings. The home is located at 2096 Hunter’s Ridge Loop, which is south of Central Avenue and east of 32nd Street West off of Sweetwater Drive. 

 

Both open houses are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

 

This is the second year of the COT carpentry program, which provides graduates skills required to work in a variety of construction settings common in both rural and metropolitan areas.

 

Students learn skills that include understanding building codes, blueprint reading and sketching, estimating, site layout,  concrete work, framing, interior and exterior finish, cabinet making and installation and deck work.

 

Students spend time both in the classroom and on the job site. During the first year, the students work on a single-floor modular home. Second-year students this year worked with the HBA on construction of the new 2,900 square-foot ranch-style home on Hunter’s Ridge Loop. The new home includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full basement and deck. 

 

For over 30 years, the Home Builders Association of Billings has invested in construction trades through its student-built house projects with the Career Center. This year, the Home Builders Association of Billings took that nationally recognized program to the next level by partnering with the COT construction program.

 

The new home is listed with real estate agent Carol Korizek-McKenzie from Montana Real Estate Brokers, who will be at the open house and answer questions any prospective buyers may have about the home.

 

For more information on the COT carpentry program, contact instructor Daryl Grove, at 247-3052.  For questions about the sale of the home, contact Korzek-McKenzie at 698-6389.  For more information about the Home Builders Association of Billings, contact Lacie Vermulm at 252-7533.