College nears next step toward expansion

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead Valley Community College's board of trustees has slated a vote Monday to authorize the sale of $9.9 million in bonds to expand the Kalispell campus.

Scheduled for 3:45 p.m., the regular monthly meeting takes place in the board room of Blake Hall on the Kalispell campus.

The bond sale would be a major step forward in the campus expansion that has been halted by two years of legal battles.

The Montana Supreme Court recently dismissed the latest lawsuit over the December 2002 bond election. That legal action was filed by radio station owner John Stokes and state legislator George Everett.

In the 2002 election, voters approved $15.8 million in bonding authority.

College officials anticipate issuing bonds for the remaining $5.9 million to complete the project in 2006.

FVCC President Jane Karas said once the board gives its OK, the college would proceed as quickly as possible with the sale of the bonds as well as architectural plans.

According to Karas, long-term interest rates remain relatively low although increases in construction costs could result in some trimming of the work planned.

The college originally had planned to spend the $15.8 million on:

. Additional classroom space equipped with technology.

. Academic and occupational labs for the allied health programs, the arts, occupational trades and high-tech careers.

. An instructional theater and high-tech lecture hall.

. Community room for events, meetings and customized training sessions.

. Improvements in infrastructure for shipping and receiving, technology wiring, air conditioning and parking.

. Expanded student study and resource areas.

. A community day-care and teaching facility.