WNCC buys land for future growth in Fallon

FALLON - A land purchase recently completed by Western Nevada Community College preserves the option of expanding the campus as Fallon grows.

A 4.8-acre parcel just west of the college was bought through donations from the city, county and local families. The plot cost $750,000. Another $50,000 covers closing costs on the deal.

Fallon WNCC Dean Bus Scharmann said there are no specific plans for the property, but since the college is land-locked its purchase will allow expansion 10 or 20 years from now.

"We're working with the academic team on a master plan to give us some direction," Scharmann said. "It's hard to say what it might be."

He mentioned a health-care facility or expanded science laboratories as possible additions to the campus. Right now, Scharmann added, science labs are not fully booked and there is no space problem at WNCC.

"We're looking at what this campus would need 20 years down the road," he said.

Churchill County donated $50,000 toward the land purchase in 2004. The city of Fallon chipped in another $25,000 weeks later.

The rest of the funding came from private and public sources.

More than $200,000 came from the sale of land on Bafford Lane that had been donated to WNCC by Fallon resident Virgil Getto, a former state senator.

Another $400,000 has been generated by the Carl and Bette Dodge Limited Trust. Scharmann said the trust has earned that amount of money over a 10-year period.

Student capital improvement funds and a $100,000 bank loan will make up the balance of the purchase price. The Nevada Board of Regents recently approved using student funds to help buy the industrial-zoned land, owned by the Jack N. Tedford Trust, Scharmann said.

Jack N. Tedford Sr., who started a construction company, was the grandfather of Ken Tedford, who serves as Fallon's mayor. The business was passed on to Jack N. Tedford Jr., the mayor's uncle, who died in 2003.

In 2003, the college began looking at future development needs and land that might be available for later expansion. WNCC officials began negotiating for the Tedford land in 2004.

"We're just pleased that the Tedfords were willing to work with us and were patient with us," Scharmann said.

• Contact reporter Marlene Garcia at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com.