Serving the High Plains

Armory deal sealed

The New Mexico National Guard's loss became Mesalands Community College's gain - not that the Guard was complaining.

The college took possession of the Guard's closed armory at 1200 S. 11th St. in Tucumcari during a divestment ceremony Friday afternoon. Officials signed the property-transfer papers earlier that morning after the facility was sold for $1. The ceremony in front of 40 guests later that day in the armory's gymnasium served more as a celebration.

Mesalands President John Groesbeck said the 21,000-square-foot structure and its 7.86 acres would serve a vital role in the college's future. The college plans to convert the armory into a student center and athletic complex by fall 2020.

"Because of this building, we will be able to pursue a strategic direction that will hopefully lead us to the point where we can double the size of Mesalands Community College within about five to seven years," he said.

Groesbeck said the college wants to have more students living on-campus and to offer sports.

"To do those things, we needed a space exactly like this," he said. "This building and especially this room will play an important part in the development of our college into becoming a truly unique asset for the higher-education portfolio in the state of New Mexico and west Texas region."

Groesbeck said the college is consulting with the NJCAA to first offer women's volleyball, then perhaps track and field and golf, in the future.

"Welcome to the new dawn, the new day, the new future for Mesalands. I'm grateful for the New Mexico National Guard for making this a reality," he said.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava, adjutant general of New Mexico, said he was pleased to see the armory would be used again after the Guard closed it three years ago amid a round of consolidations throughout the state.

"It pained me to not see it be utilized and sitting here vacant," he said. "This building needs a little TLC, but it's in pretty good shape. As I walked around this morning, I can see this serving this community and the Mesalands student body very well, and that makes me happy."

He turned to the college president seated a few feet away and said: "I think you got quite a deal here, Mr. Groesbeck, for a dollar."

"When this building is finally open for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Groesbeck, I would love to bring some National Guard folks here to attend that," Nava added. "We can't wait to see the great things that this community and the school puts it to use for."

In brief remarks, Tucumcari Mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield said: "I'm glad to see this is an addition to Mesalands because they'll do it right, and we will benefit from it."

Nava concluded the ceremony by giving Groesbeck a symbolic key to the armory handmade by a Guardsman. Groesbeck then gave Nava a one-dollar bill, symbolizing the purchase of the property.

Danielle Molina, financial coordinator of construction and facilities for the New Mexico National Guard, served as the master of ceremonies.

"Today, we pass our legacy of service via this readiness center to a community that has always supported the New Mexico National Guard," she said. "Tucumcari has long been a home for our soldiers, and we are so grateful for support and hospitality that we have received for so long.

"We are excited to transfer our armory to Mesalands Community College, which we know will use it to benefit and honor the residents of Tucumcari."

Mesalands student Jessa Paddock began the event by singing the national anthem in her native Navajo language.

Tucumcari city commissioner Chris Arias noted how "huge" the facility was while walking through it after the ceremony.

"For the college, it's great; it's a blank slate for them," he said. "With the size of this building, the size of the rooms, they're really going to move forward."

Arias said the armory reminded him of the Johnson Center recreational center at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

"Seeing we now have the opportunity that major universities have, it's amazing to me we have that here," he said.

 
 
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