PEMBROKE – The Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC) celebrated a significant milestone today with the Topping Out Ceremony for the Robeson Career and Technical Education Center, Planetarium and Science Center. The ceremony, held on-site, commemorated the placement of the final beam on the nearly 110,000-square-foot facility—a symbol of progress, partnership, and a future-focused vision for education in the region.
The new career center will house PSRC Career and Technical Education courses and add a full state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Program and Drone Technology Program. Other course offerings include Mechatronics, Welding, Automotive Technology, EMT and more. The nearly 110,000 sq. ft. center will also be the home of the new Robeson Planetarium and Science Center, which replaces the previous structure destroyed by Hurricane Matthew and the current one at PSRC Central Office. The center is expected to open in December 2026 and will be a cornerstone of innovation, career-readiness, and STEM education in the region.
“We are here to sign off on the completion of the structural framework for this building. That is exciting,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
“We are standing in today looking into the future and the impact this facility will have in this county for our kids. Today really gets us one step closer to having students in the hallways, teachers in the classrooms and a brighter future for Robeson County,” Dr. Williamson added.
PSRC Board of Education Chairman Vonta Leach recognized county and school district officials in attendance and shared excitement about the project.
“This new CTE building will change the trajectory of lives for generations to come. On behalf of myself and my fellow board members past and present we are just grateful to have a small part in it,” Leach said.
The event also featured remarks from Pauline Campbell, Robeson County Board of Commissioners Chair; Steven Hunt, Metcon Chief Operating Officer; Robbie Ferris, SfL+a Architects President and CEO; Michael Holborn, Project Manager with SfL+a Architects and Bobby Locklear, PSRC Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary Services. Guests also participated in a ceremonial signing of the final beam, symbolizing unity and shared purpose.
“We know that every student deserves access to opportunity,” said Robeson County Board of Commissioners Chair Pauline Campbell. “Brick by brick we are building opportunities.”
As construction continued in the background of the ceremony, Campbell mentioned that walls were rising.
“But, what’s really rising today is a future full of promise right here in Robeson County,” she added.
About the Robeson Career and Technical Education Center and Planetarium and Science Center
By equipping students with hands-on experience, industry-recognized credentials, and pathways to certifications, this facility, which replaces the current Robeson County Career Center, will serve as a critical talent pipeline for local industries—attracting new businesses and supporting economic growth in Robeson County for decades to come.
Robeson CTEC is more than a new building—it's a transformative investment in the future of our students and the economic vitality of our region.
The project was split into two phases. Phase 1 came in slightly under budget at $72 million, funded through a combination of sources: $62 million from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, $2.5 million from the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, $2.5 million from PSRC, and $5 million allocated by state legislators, including Senator Britt, specifically for the planetarium and science center. Phase 2, estimated at $15.2 million, will be jointly funded by the county and the school district, each covering half.