BRIDGEPORT – The work of many hands has gone into bringing the multipurpose education, health services and community center to be dubbed “The Bridge” to life on Bridgeport Exempted Village School District campus, and all of them will join in celebration during the much-anticipated ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m. Aug. 13.
With the big day only a week away, board members and administrators held a special board meeting Aug. 3 to iron out the final details.
The journey to this point demanded belief in what was possible and the hard work to see the project through. The Bulldog community had those qualities in abundance. Looking back, board member Karrie Puskas observed it has been 896 days from the first grant writing meeting to the ribbon cutting. This marks more than two years of intense and detailed planning and partnerships with local stakeholders and service providers.
Almost 80 invitees, including those stakeholders, alumni, staff and local and state government, will attend. “The Bridge” promises to make Bridgeport Schools a resource for the surrounding area.
Superintendent Brent Ripley noted that plans are proceeding quickly.
“Things are extraordinary,” he said. “Everybody’s pitching in and pulling together to bring this ribbon cutting and the unveiling of our team’s vision to life.”
Ripley added the ribbon cutting is a time to recognize the generous donors and grants that made the facility possible. Ripley said this initiative represents an incredible investment of money from agencies that believed in the vision and from professionals who will work out of the Bridge.
“All these different entities coming in. There’s a lot of impact when you think about the economic and service impacts for both students and community members.”
Shirts commemorating the day will be available, and food trucks from Wood Fired Pizza and Dairy Jean will feature at the celebration, along with performances from the band and cheerleaders.
District leaders anticipate showing everything that will be on offer after the ribbon cutting, when the public takes its first tours of “The Bridge”. Representatives from stakeholders, including veterinarians and TE Learning Centerwhich will provide daycare will be there to greet the community. Board member Don Cash will demonstrate the golf simulator. Parents and students will also be involved, including unveiling the health and fitness center dubbed “the Dog Pound.”
Bridge Director Trina Kropka has been hard at work preparing for the ribbon cutting and the Bridge’s inaugural school year. She put the word out on the district’s social media platforms, including Facebook, X, TickTok and Instagram, with a “countdown” to the ribbon cutting. Kropka said the public has been calling her office to inquire.
“I’ve had several phone calls about the Silver Sneakers program. People that live here in Bridgeport, it’s too difficult for them to get themselves to Wheeling or to St. Clairsville, so they’ve called and asked me a lot of questions,” she said. “We are excited to be a part of that. The walking trail is open for free for everybody. In the hours that the Bridge itself is operating, people will be able to come use the walking trail.”
Afterwards, Kropka added the Bridge is expected to be busy. The area Rotary Club has shown an interest in the venue for their community events. Other professionals have asked about use of the space.
“We do have some organizations that want to do some trainings in the evenings. We’d like to bring some health care presentations there, maybe in collaboration with WVU. I myself am a dietitian so I’m hoping to bring some nutrition classes. Free classes for the public.”
She said the Giacinta’s coffee shop will also be a draw.
“The Bridge” will serve a key role in the district’s educational mission, with new hands-on training opportunities. The educators who will be teaching at “The Bridge” also look forward to meeting the public after the ribbon cutting. Veterinary technicians will be represented, along with instructors in College Credit Plus courses, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math lab, drone piloting, and teachers in medical and health-related fields.
Kropka added she is impressed by the teachers.
“We had an amazing applicant pool and we’ve pulled the best of the best. I’m super excited for all the teachers we’ve got coming to ‘The Bridge’. A lot of experience is coming with them. They’re at the top of the game in their field and we’re lucky to have them.”
Meanwhile, paperwork for new students continues to flow into the district with the sixth and seventh grades filled to capacity. Kropka said parents have been making more inquiries about open enrollment and how their children might take advantage of these opportunities.
“We’re here. We’re just ready to cut the ribbon and actually start the activity in the building.”
Ripley concluded by leading the board and administrators through the nearly-complete “Bridge” and describing those activities.
