Regents to confer over college-building program

Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 11:31 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A $302.8 million construction program for the University and Community College System of Nevada, including two buildings at the proposed state college in Henderson, will be considered Friday by the Board of Regents at its meeting in Elko.

The suggested budget calls for the state to finance $216.4 million with the rest coming from other funds, such as donations, federal money or fee collections. There are 19 projects suggested by the chancellor's staff.

If the regents approve, as expected, the list will be forwarded to the state Public Works Board, which will make its recommendations to Gov. Kenny Guinn for inclusion in his budget.

Construction of a $9 million science-engineering complex at UNLV is the top priority from Southern Nevada on the list. Then comes a $25 million Health Science-BioTech Center for the Community College of Southern Nevada.

The chancellor's office is proposing $23 million for Wright Hall at UNLV; $36 million for classrooms and student services at the Nevada State College in Henderson; $6.5 million for expansion of the student services building at UNLV and $27.5 million for a library on the Henderson campus.

Also recommended is $1 million for planning a UNLV campus at Summerlin; $20 million for a Telcom Building at CCSN and last on the list is $36 million for the dental school at UNLV. The proposal for the dental school envisions $12 million coming from private donations.

The Henderson State College believes it can raise $10 million each for its classroom building and library to offset the total cost.

In addition to these, the system administration is recommending $40 million in construction projects at UNLV to be paid for out of fees and other money. These are called "self-supporting" projects.

They include a $16.5 million companion residence hall to Tonopah Hall; a parking garage costing $11.7 million; the Bennett Child Development Center at a cost of $5 million and $2 million each for expansion and renovation of the bookstore on campus; building a softball stadium and renovation of the Dickinson Library for administrative offices. The list also includes $1 million for the Boys & Girls Club next to the child development center at UNLV.