FVCC sees expansion plan intact

Flathead Valley Community College expects to complete the full scope of its campus expansion, according to President Jane Karas .

Karas said changes in building designs and materials whittled a $5 million shortfall to $2 million. She said the college expects to replace those dollars through donations or borrowing to avoid project cutbacks.

"We're confident that we can meet that $2 million gap," she told trustees at a recent meeting.

The shortfall resulted from construction cost increases during a two-year delay after voters approved $15.8 million to expand the Kalispell campus. Several lawsuits over the mail-in election procedures caused the delay.

In January, the Montana Supreme Court dismissed the last lawsuit, clearing the way for the sale of $9.9 million in bonds in February for the first phases of construction.

Karas said plans call for completion of the occupational trades building first in July 2006 since it requires the least complicated design.

The arts and technical building would follow in December 2006 or early January 2007. This facility includes classrooms, a 250-seat theater and a large lecture hall.

In June or July 2007, college officials expect to finish an early childhood development building. Along with providing day care, this building also serves as a center for training child-care workers.

Along with the three new buildings, the campus overhaul includes renovations to the Science and Technology Building to add lab and clinical education space, plus road, parking and other infrastructure improvements.

Karas said she didn't have a date yet for ground breaking. She said architects are scheduled to return May 12 with new schematic drawings to present to the college.

The expansion plans grew from a multiyear, planning effort to address growth of the community and the college since the campus was first built a over a decade ago.

Since the college moved from downtown Kalispell to the new campus on U.S. 93 North, course offerings grew by 59 percent while the student population increased by almost 30 percent.

Voters responded in December 2002 by passing the $15.8 million bond issue by a margin of 52-48 percent. College officials estimated the project would add about $36 a year for each $100,000 of property tax valuation.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.