Work continues on Yuba Water Agency's new facilities on Marysville Road. All five buildings on the property are taking shape and work is on schedule. Photo courtesy of Yuba Water Agency

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Construction of Yuba Water Agency’s new Power Systems facilities on Marysville Road in Oregon House is on schedule, with completion expected later next year. To accommodate a recent change in the project’s construction schedule, Yuba Water’s board of directors approved on May 21 moving $6 million from the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 to the current budget year to ensure work continues.

“This adjustment does not add to the total project budget at all,” explained Ryan McNally, Yuba Water’s interim director of power systems. “We’re still on track to stay within the originally approved budget of $39.5 million.”

Yuba Water broke ground on the two-year project at 8897 Marysville Road last summer, with Yuba City-based Hilbers, Inc. leading construction. The new property spans 16 acres and includes a 14,000-square-foot administration building, a warehouse and mechanics shop, 150,000-gallon fire suppression water tank, parking and more. The agency is also updating a school bus stop on Marysville Road adjacent to the property to ensure families can safely pick up and drop off students.

Yuba Water also heard an update on how its financial support of First 5 Yuba County’s Growing Up Wild program is helping foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the outdoors among Yuba County youth.

“90 percent of a child’s brain is developed by the age of 5,” said Ericka Summers, executive director of First 5 Yuba County. “We have such a wonderful natural landscape here in Yuba County, and this curriculum is a great way to encourage children to learn, interact with nature and foster an early interest in science.”

The free program trains local early educators and caregivers to teach children ages 3-7 about the environment and natural resources with a goal of fostering a love and appreciation for the outdoors. Using a nearly $19,000 grant from Yuba Water, the Growing Up Wild program has already trained 44 early education providers, potentially reaching hundreds of children.

Lastly, the board heard an update on a planned water and wastewater infrastructure improvement project that will help safeguard groundwater quality in South Yuba County and create a modernized water and sewer system for Olivehurst and Wheatland. Yuba County, Olivehurst Public Utility District and the City of Wheatland are leading the project with support from Yuba Water and are working on securing additional funding to move the project forward.

For more information on Growing up Wild trainings, contact Rita Baker at (530) 749-4949 or Estefania Lopez at (530) 749-4877. Visit yubawater.org to learn more about Yuba Water’s missions and investments in Yuba County.