From Promise to Progress at Northern

Northern New Mexico College Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Renovated Gym and Fit Lab

There was a sense of momentum in the air as Northern students, student-athletes, faculty, staff, Board of Regents members, administrators, facilities team members, and community supporters gathered to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Northern New Mexico College’s newly renovated Gym and the Fit Lab.

The upgrades, which include a redesigned weight room, a dedicated cardio room, and newly added sauna spaces, represent the first major improvements to portions of the facility since 1989.

“This is the first time since 1989 that some of these improvements have occurred,” he said. “So when we’re all in here today, I want us to think about who’s going to be using this space.”

For President Balderas, the renovation is about far more than athletics.

“We invite elementary school kids here. We invite mothers here. We’re going to be inviting elderly people into this facility,” he said. “This is not only an amazing facility for our student-athletes, but it’s going to create opportunities for health, safety, and fitness for everybody in the Valley.”

The message throughout the ceremony was clear: this space belongs to the community.

The President also emphasized that progress at Northern is rooted in action, not just conversation. Reflecting on commitments made when he first stepped into leadership, he recalled promising to eliminate every “out of working order” bathroom sign across campus.

“An ‘out of order’ sign on a bathroom might not mean a lot,” he said. “But for me, it was a sign we were sending to our students.”

He shared that the college secured over $29 million in funding and has been investing it in improvements around campus, including facility upgrades and repairs to the El Rito dormitory, where student-athletes reside.

“We are barely getting started,” he added.

President Balderas then turned his attention to those who made the moment possible, offering heartfelt thanks to partners and campus leaders who helped bring the renovation to life. He recognized Senator Leo Jaramillo for his support, as well as project Manager Dalene Valdez and Juan Montoya, and the entire facilities crew.

He thanked Coach Mandy Montoya and Coach Mike Dominguez for their patience and collaboration throughout the process, acknowledging that improvement often requires persistence. He also expressed appreciation for community partner Century Bank for their ongoing support.

Most notably, he asked the audience to recognize the Northern New Mexico College Board of Regents, the group he said “took a chance” on him and shared his vision for campus transformation. He called forward Board Chair Michael A. Martin, Vice-Chair Erica Rita Velarde, Secretary/Treasurer Ruben Archuleta, Dolores Gurule, and Ron Lovato, leading the room in applause for their leadership and dedication.

College leadership framed the renovation as part of a broader campus improvement strategy focused on enhancing infrastructure, strengthening student services, and modernizing learning environments. Over the past several years, Northern has invested in academic facilities, technology upgrades, and student-centered initiatives. The Gym and Fit Lab renovation aligns with that larger vision, creating spaces that foster belonging, engagement, and long-term success.

The reopening also signals an expansion of future wellness programming. Administrators indicated that the improved facility will support fitness classes, training workshops, and community partnerships aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles beyond athletics.

After his remarks, the focus shifted to the coaches, who spoke to the renovated space's personal and practical impact.

Women’s Coach Mandy Montoya shared a story that captured the pride behind the renovation.

“It was Friday before our game,” she said. “I was in the cardio room talking to an electrician, and he said, ‘This is such a huge recruiting tool.’ And I told him, ‘The funny thing is, I have a recruit coming today.’”

That recruit had previously visited campus in November, before renovations were complete.

“She and her family saw what it looked like prior,” Montoya explained. “We told her, ‘This is going to get upgraded. This is not what it’s going to look like when you’re here next year.’

When the family returned and saw the finished space, their reaction was immediate.

“They were blown away,” Montoya said. “When President Balderas talks about sending a message, that sends a huge message to families. It was a sense of pride. It shows not just where we are at, but where we are going with Northern.”

Northern’s Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Dominguez echoed that sense of forward movement. Having arrived on campus in June, he reflected on conversations with President Balderas and the Board of Regents regarding improvements to athletic facilities.

“I’ve been in college basketball for 15 years,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just talk, and actions are never taken. But here, we got a lot of stuff done.”

He pointed to practical improvements that immediately affected student-athletes, including upgraded access from the locker room to the gym.

“We want this to be a home for them,” he said. “We recruited them to come play for our college. Fixing that access problem was huge.”
Beyond access, he emphasized the refinished floor, upgraded training spaces, and continued improvements underway.
“We want to grow enrollment. We want to retain students,” he said. “This is how you do it. You show that we’re not just about talk, we’re about action.”

He also shared a broader vision for the facility.
“I don’t just want to see basketball players in here,” he said. “I want to see staff, community members, and classes going on. We want this to be a safe place. If they’re here, they’re not somewhere else getting into trouble.”

That sentiment lingered in the room, the idea that this space is not just about lifting weights or running on treadmills, but about creating belonging, safety, and opportunity.

Across higher education, research consistently shows that students who feel connected to campus spaces and supported beyond the classroom are more likely to stay enrolled and succeed academically. Modern wellness facilities serve as both recruitment tools and retention anchors, signaling institutional investment and long-term vision.

As the ribbon was cut and guests toured the upgraded Gym and Fit Lab, there was a shared understanding that this moment marked more than a renovation. It marked renewal.

Northern is investing in its students.
Northern is investing in its community.
And, as President Balderas said,
it is only just getting started.