Area Tribal school underway

The United Auburn Indian Community, which most notably owns Thunder Valley Resort and Casino, broke ground on a new school just east of Loomis last week. When completed, the 45-acre site located in unincorporated Placer County will include a pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school, a Tribal Education Center and a Tribal Community Center. "Our Tribal School groundbreaking marks a momentous occasion for the United Auburn Indian Community as we officially begin construction of new classrooms, a library, gymnasium, outdoor play fields and adult learning spaces," said chairman Gene Whitehouse on April 29. "We are honored to have the ability to provide our youth with a wonderful new facility where they can excel academically for years to come." According to a Placer County Planning Commission report, the school is designed to serve up to 100 students with 35 staff members. The report indicated the Tribal Education Center and Tribal Cultural Center will provide recreational and continuing education classes for adults and supplemental classes to homeschooled and high school age students. Other onsite improvements will include parking, a ball field, play areas, a nature trail, and improvements to the existing on-site irrigation stock pond and pier, according to the report. While the site is not exactly in Loomis, Loomis Mayor Tim Onderko said the tribe's rich cultural heritage and dedication to the education of its youth is a tremendous asset to the town and the greater region. "I'm beyond excited that the United Auburn Indian Community chose Loomis as the location to build their new Tribal School and Cultural Center," Onderko said. "I had a chance to talk with tribal council members and I'm very impressed with their long-term vision for this site. The property itself is beautiful and I know they'll honor and protect it." According to United Auburn Indian Community spokesman Doug Elmets, the Tribal School should be completed by late 2020, depending on weather. According to the tribe's website, the United Auburn Indian Community is comprised of both Miwok and Maidu Indians. The historic Auburn Rancheria reservation is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills in Auburn. The site is located at 3141 Taylor Road in unincorporated Placer County.