Jimmy Currier
Observer staff writer

Central New Mexico Community College became the latest to break ground in Rio Rancho’s City Center area last Friday.

“The city of Rio Rancho is a place that backs education all the way,” said CNM President Dr. Kathie Winograd. “We need more college graduates. CNM is here in the City of Vision to further the cause of education and contribute to the economic development of the region.” Winograd was joined by city, county, state and CNM officials in breaking ground on the first phase of the CNM campus, which will eventually be able to offer classes for 2,000 students. CNM anticipates opening in the fall of 2010.

“We are doing this for the future,” Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack said as he invited Christian Tulouse, the grandsom of CNM Board Secretary Carmine Tulouse, to come to the podium to stand beside him. “The children are what this is about. Never lose sight of what we are trying to do here.”

When the campus opens its doors, CNM will offer classes in nursing, computer and information technology, business administration and liberal arts. The campus will include a nursing simulation lab and biology and computer labs.

Students will be able to earn associate’s degrees and certificates. Many other class offerings will be available at the campus.

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) told the audience that the groundbreaking is a historic moment.

“Years from now when this is indispensable, you will all be proud you were part of this commitment and part of this moment,” Udall said. “Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce. Students will walk out of CNM ready to enter the workforce. Education is not just a benefit; it is a necessity and a duty.”

The campus will be built on 40 acres near City Hall. Work on the road to the campus starts in March and construction on the building begins in May.

The building’s plans call for an urban look that meshes with Rio Rancho’s vision for the City Center. The building will include an interior courtyard where students can study outside and still be protected from the elements. In addition, all of the classrooms will include plenty of natural light.

The design of the building will be similar to the West Side campus, located in Northwest Albuquerque and it will be one of only a few Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings in Rio Rancho, which means the construction and completion of the building will not only be environmentally friendly, but will meet high levels of energy efficiency when it opens.

District 3 councilor Delma Petrullo is glad to see the school strive for the LEED certification.

“I love the fact they are going for LEED. LEED certification is difficult,” Petrullo said. “Sustainability is what’s of most importance. It is not so important for my generation but for the children and the grandchildren. We got to leave them as clean of an environment as we possibly can.”

Earlier this month, the University of New Mexico West broke ground on its campus in downtown Rio Rancho. UNM and CNM have an agreement so students can complete their first two years at CNM and the last two at UNM.

Deputy Mayor Mike Williams, who has served on the governing body since 2000, likes seeing these projects developing.

“I’m ecstatic,” Williams said. “This is long overdue. Build it and they will come.”