Facility planned in cooperation with the Tucumcari Economic Development Cooperation with the assistance from a 2012 donation from the Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation
September 22, 2014
The Mesalands Community College Foundation, Inc., and the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation (GTEDC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), for the GTEDC to lease approximately 92 acres of land to the Mesalands Community College Foundation. The purpose of this MOU is to establish a collaboration partnership aimed to facilitate the construction of a new Animal/Farrier Science and Rodeo Facility, which will be located adjacent to the Tucumcari Cemetery. The Mesalands Foundation and the GTEDC agree that the Animal/Farrier Science and Rodeo Facility will directly benefit Quay County, through the growth of Mesalands Community College, job creation, economic development, and publicity.
“This much-needed Animal/Farrier Science and Rodeo Facility will assist the College in meeting the needs of our growing animal science, farrier science, and rodeo programs,” Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, President of Mesalands Community College said. “The College is also extremely excited to partner with the Mesalands Community College Foundation, Inc., and the Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation, who made this project possible.”
Dr. Newsom stated that Mesalands is developing both a short range and a long range development plan for the Animal/Farrier Science and Rodeo Facility. For the short term, the Mesalands Community College Foundation will construct stalls, a round pen, and a rough stock arena, for the immediate use of the animal science, farrier science and rodeo programs. The Mesalands Community College Foundation will fund this initial stage of this project, from a 2012 donation provided by the Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation (WRCF) facility funds.
“The College was fortunate to receive a $10,000 donation from the Working Ranch Cowboys Foundation in 2012 in support of our equine studies programs,” said Dr. Newsom. “We are very pleased that with the support of the WRCF, we are going to be able to move this project forward, in a very short period of time.”
For the long term, Dr. Newsom stated that the Mesalands Community College Foundation will launch a capital campaign within the next year, to raise funds for a multi-purpose facility for the animal science, farrier science, and rodeo programs on this property that will include a practice arena. The new multi-purpose facility will be primarily used by the College for academic and athletic purposes, but will be available for community enhancement as well.
Mesalands will continue to use the Quay County Rodeo Arena for their intercollegiate rodeo competitions in the fall and the spring.
“It’s a project and an audience that is such a good fit for Eastern New Mexico and for Quay County in particular. Mesalands Community College has done such a great job with their programs and I think it is just the right thing for us to work with the College on this type of project. At the same time, I also can’t think of a better use of that property,” said Patrick Vanderpool, Executive Director of the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation. “The partnership with the College is one that we always treasure and I think this is a great opportunity to further that partnership.”
