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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 17, 2005
Mesa State College to Receive Critical Maintenance
Funds
Grand Junction, Colo. - The Colorado State Legislature's
Capital Development Committee has approved the inclusion of $44,258,576
for capital development projects in the proposed 2005-2006 state
budget. More than $21 million of the approved funds would be directed
to controlled maintenance projects, with $839,309 earmarked for
critical needs at Mesa State College.
"We are quite happy to hear that that three of our high-need,
no-frills projects have been approved to receive funding,"
said Tim Foster, president of Mesa State College. "Other than
emergency assistance to repair the Tomlinson Library's exterior
three years ago, Mesa State College has not received maintenance
assistance from the state in recent years."
More than a third of the earmarked funds, $311,570, will be used
to upgrade emergency lighting and fire alarm and suppression systems
in Houston Hall, Mesa State's main classroom building. The Tomlinson
Library will receive $309,376 for repairs to its roof. In addition,
Lowell Heiny Hall, the main campus' administrative building, will
receive a new chiller to upgrade its air conditioning system, at
a cost of $218,364.
"With more than $23.5 million in deferred maintenance and
very limited state support, Mesa State College has been struggling
to maintain the quality of its facilities," said Erik van de
Boogard, Mesa State College's assistant vice president for facility
services. "Representing a step in the right direction, this
$839,309 will enable us to make critical upgrades and repairs to
several of our most utilized buildings and ensure that we are taking
good care of the taxpayers' investments."
The controlled maintenance funding was secured with the assistance
of District 55 State Representative Bernie Buescher, a member of
the Joint Budget Committee.
"Mesa State, together with many other institutions across
Colorado, has deferred, for too many years, important capital maintenance
items," said Buescher. "I am delighted that the JBC agreed
with the urgency of funding these critical needs for Mesa State."
For more information, contact the Publicity Coordinator at 970.248.1371
or Erik van de Boogard, Assistant Vice President for Facility Services,
at 970.248.1334. Rep. Buescher's office can be reached at 303.866.2583.
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