CSN, City of Las Vegas Break Ground on Fire Station/Instructional Center on the Charleston Campus

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 30, 2009 — The City of Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Fire Station/Instructional Center on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the CSN Charleston campus.

 

This unique, 15,400 square-foot building, to be located on the Southwest corner of the campus, will house Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Station 6, as well as 4,600 square feet of general classroom space for CSN students.

 

“This is a great partnership that will combine state and local resources to efficiently generate services for Southern Nevada residents and provide much needed space for CSN,” said CSN President Dr. Michael D. Richards. “College enrollment has grown 15 percent over the last three years and our square-footage-per-student ratio is the lowest in the state, so the classroom space could not come at a better time.”

 

The City of Las Vegas will fund the construction of the $7 million facility on Nevada System of Higher Education land located on the College of Southern Nevada’s largest campus. The building is expected to open in the fall of 2010 and is already three months ahead of schedule due to the planning and collaboration among the architecture, contractor, city and CSN officials.

 

Located across from Bonanza High School, the fire station will also provide learning opportunities to interested high school students through future collaboration among Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Clark County School District and CSN officials.

 

"Every great project begins with an idea, and I'm very proud the idea for the style and use of this fire station came from our Ward 1 office," said Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, who represents the area.  "The addition of the fire science magnet where firefighters and college instructors will also work with Bonanza High School students offers even more in the efficient and effective use of public monies." 

 

A focal piece of the building will be a glass wall located in the lobby that will provide viewing into the fully functional, four-bay fire station and allow students to observe firefighters and emergency medical technicians in action. Inside the lobby, there will also be educational displays about the history of the fire service for students and community members’ enjoyment. 

 

Not only is the fire station needed to serve the citizens in the area but Las Vegas Fire Chief Greg Gammon said he sees the next generation of firefighters in Las Vegas as being prepared better than ever for the challenges of a career in the fire service by this unique learning opportunity.   

 

The facility will house three state-of-the-art classrooms that will be used for CSN classes, and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue training and professional development sessions when not in use by the college.

 

The roof of the bays is being designed to accommodate the installation of solar panels for energy efficiency. Funding for instillation of these panels is being pursued through grant opportunities. The building will be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) equivalent facility.

 

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (www.csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN offers more than 200 degree and certificate options in more than 130 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules including day, evening and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN -- Your future starts here.