CCSN celebrates opening of anchor on Charleston campus

Friday, Aug. 13, 1999 | 9:59 a.m.

A new $25 million building with a million-dollar view and bright colors that scream for attention is now open for business at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

"This is the anchor building for our campus," President Richard Moore said as he led a quick tour of the facility in the heart of the 80-acre compound at 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

Moore could not contain his enthusiasm as he spoke about the 120,000-square-foot building, the campus and the future of one of the fastest-growing colleges in America.

He said in eight to nine years the student population may outgrow the college's three campuses, on West Charleston Boulevard, Cheyenne Avenue and in Henderson.

"We will need to handle 90,000 students," he predicted.

Currently the campuses handle more than 30,000.

He noted that the vibrant colors of the building -- blue for the noon sky, fuchsia for the evening sky, gold for lantana plants that grow naturally in the desert -- capture the essence of the Nevada desert.

"The color is to celebrate being in Las Vegas," he said.

A freestanding bell tower with megaton speakers chimes every hour, adding to the flavor of the college campus. Spotlights on top of the tower rotate at night, drawing eyes to the attention-grabbing campus.

"There's no reason why going to school and changing your life can't be fun," Moore said. "There is no need for drudgery."

Moore believes the view from the third floor of the new Student Services Building is unsurpassed in Las Vegas, with a clear view of the Strip to the southeast and the expanses of the city in every other direction.

Eighty faculty members will get the penthouse view.

"They're the best offices in Las Vegas," Moore said.

The second floor of the new building contains more than 20 classrooms.

The first floor is for student services and a 200-seat auditorium that may be used by the general public as well as the college.

An estimated 300 students attended a workshop Thursday on the first floor of the new building, which opened Monday.

The purpose of the three-hour workshop was to pre-register new and first-year college students for the fall.

"We call this one-stop-shopping," Moore said. "It's the new wave in American education. Everything you want is on this one floor -- registration, counselors, financial aid.

"On most campuses you have to go to several different buildings. But here, it's one stop."

Moore said about 35 percent of the college's 80-acre campus is now occupied.

He now looks eagerly toward the next phase of building -- a $17 million science building.

But more imminent is the opening of a new $17 million facility on the Henderson campus, which is scheduled to take place on Aug. 23.