CMC Spring Valley Multi-Use Building

At Issue

With the number of people attending higher education facilities continuing to rise, Colorado Mountain College needed to expand their main site facilities in Glenwood Springs. Furthermore, with competition increasing among higher education institutions, CMC wanted facilities that would enhance the student experience, and, thus encourage enrollment, as well as provide the necessary support and administration space for a growing institution. This expansion included a 40,000 sf, two-story education building, complete with a 5,000 sf photo lab and developing center; a 3,000 sf auditorium and performance hall; administration offices; as well as, typical classrooms including science rooms, laboratories, and computer facilities, including the "Technologies Center," which has become the hub of the vibrant Spring Valley campus. The new facility also houses the computer control center for the entire campus at the Spring Valley site. In an effort to contain costs the college requested that many of the existing components in the photo lab and theatrical performing area be relocated and adapted for reuse in the new facility. The project was further compounded by out-of-date technology infrastructure, specifically, coaxial cable, which offers minimal performance and flexibility, and which also precluded the campus' connection to CMC's state-wide campus administration network.

BGCE's Work

• Mechanical systems to provide heating and cooling via a rooftop VAV System for optimum zoning


• Efficient use of electrical power utilizing both 480 volt and 208-volt services to optimize use of high wattage electrical equipment


• Mechanical and electrical lighting system integration for the theatrical area to enhance performance hall presentation capabilities


• Design of the main backbone of the new computer network system, which included moving the main system into the new building and the introduction of a fiber optic infrastructure to increase performance and flexibility for future expansion


• Provided temporary data services (via fiber) from the existing administration building to other areas on campus while the new education building was under construction


• Engineered cable systems to accommodate the relocation of the existing PBX

Client Benefits

• Optimum comfort control throughout the various spaces


• Built in flexibility for the lighting and sound systems for the performing arts area


• Technologies Center supports students' needs and encourages technical skills development


• Enhanced facilities allow CMC to better recruit new enrollment


• Ability to integrate campus within CMC state-wide campus administration network