April 27, 2021 4:10 a.m.

On Monday, the Umpqua Community College Board of Education approved the school’s request to buy the property formerly occupied by Casa de Belen.

In a special meeting, the board approved the $400,000 purchase of the building on Northeast Grandview Drive in Roseburg. A UCC release said that thanks to a generous donor, no general fund dollars are being used to obtain the property.

The building was put up for sale in late 2020 after Casa de Belen ceased operations. The non-profit had offered housing and services to at-risk youths for 16 years. Part of the property was already being used by UCC to house athletes in the wrestling program.

UCC President Dr. Debra Thatcher said the building will house students, primarily student athletes. Thatcher said, “Student athletes are important for meeting enrollment goals, especially for full-time students”. She said that some student athletes choose to go to college because it provides them with an opportunity to play their sport and noted that some would have not attended college otherwise.

UCC Athletic Director Craig Jackson said the property can currently house 40 students. Jackson said the school is always looking for innovative ways to increase enrollment. He said, “Anytime we can find a solution that will help students, we will investigate it”.

The release said athletics programs at UCC have grown exponentially over the past five years, with women’s soccer and eSports being the latest to join the ranks. School officials said students in these programs have not only contributed to the school’s enrollment, but have made significant impacts on the county’s economy and volunteer services base.

Thatcher said “UCC’s student athletes are valuable to the community”. She said not only do the students provide many hours of service to the community, they also provide opportunities for the community to enjoy sports.

The sale of the property is expected to be finalized in May.