Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The closed New Mexico Army National Guard armory at 1200 S. 11th St. in Tucumcari is shown in September. Mesalands Community College recently received clearance from two state agencies to buy the facility for $1.
Mesalands Community College's president announced two state agencies recently cleared the college's proposed acquisition of the closed armory building in Tucumcari for $1.
John Groesbeck said during the college's board of directors meeting Jan. 8 the state's Department of Higher Education and Board of Finance had approved the purchase of the 21,540-square-foot building at 1200 S. 11th St. and its 7.86 acres, just south of the Mesalands campus.
Officials from the New Mexico Army National Guard will attend a formal document-signing ceremony to close the deal within 60 days.
According to a news release Thursday from the college, Mesalands plans to use the armory for a student center and athletics complex. Groesbeck had said the college was eyeing the building for several uses because it contains a full gymnasium and full commercial kitchen.
Among possible other uses for the armory stated by Groesbeck are an art gallery, indoor batting cages, archery range, special-event community center and more.
"It will help us achieve our strategic vision to help grow enrollment and support the community," Groesbeck said.
The National Guard closed the building several years ago as part of a state-wide consolidation effort.
Mesalands officials first announced their desire to buy the shuttered building in September. The college plans to reopen the armory in fall 2020.
In other business by the board of trustees:
• The board approved a purchase requisition of $184,859.54 to Cooperative Education Services of Albuquerque for architectural engineering services and surveys for a $2 million campus paving project and investigation of drainage problems near Building G.
• The board heard a report from Aaron Kennedy, vice president of student affairs, on the college's Fall 2018 Persistence Report, which reports on how well students are retained at the college. Half of the failing students who were referred to a retention specialist eventually earned a "C" grade or better, which was deemed a "successful" outcome. Board members seemed pleased, using the words "outstanding" and "excellent" in reacting to the report.
• Groesbeck read a letter from a new business that commended help received from the college's Small Business Development Center.