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Monday, January 28, 2008

CNM's Rio Rancho Campus Expected in Two Years

By Martin Salazar
Journal Staff Writer
    RIO RANCHO— Central New Mexico Community College officials are moving ahead with plans to build a Rio Rancho campus, and they're still hoping to be open for business there in about two years.
    CNM's board of directors gave preliminary approval earlier this month to move forward with what will be the campus' first building. College estimates place the cost of the building at about $24 million, said CNM spokesman Brad Moore.
    He said CNM has already sent out a request for proposals seeking an architectural firm to begin master planning for the building.
    Moore said the college is planning to build the structure while simultaneously platting the land and putting in infrastructure such as utilities.
    Voters in northern Rio Rancho and throughout the rest of the CNM tax district gave the OK in November for CNM to expand the district. The vote gave CNM the ability to move forward with its plans for a 40-acre Rio Rancho campus near the City Center.
    CNM has said it already has the necessary money set aside for construction of the first building on the campus. That building will also host University of New Mexico classes, thanks to an agreement reached last year between the two schools.
    Moore said the new building will feature classroom space, but it's too soon to say how big it will be. That will be determined by what programs CNM decides to begin offering there. He said the college plans to work with the city of Rio Rancho in determining the first programs that will be offered.
    CNM's decision to launch a Rio Rancho campus hasn't taken away the college's commitment to its West Side campus.
    College officials expect the West Side campus to continue growing. CNM's spring semester began Jan. 14. Moore said so far, enrollment at the West Side campus is up by 19 percent.
    CNM dedicated a 53,000-square-foot classroom building at the West Side campus in December. The building includes science labs, pharmacy labs and administrative space.
    Gov. Bill Richardson is asking state lawmakers to approve $12 million for the West Side campus.