By Milam Shah
February 26, 2026
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 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.
鈥淭his is the first time since 1989 that some of these improvements have occurred,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o when we鈥檙e all in here today, I want us to think about who going to be using this space.鈥�
For President Balderas, the renovation is about far more than athletics.
鈥淲e invite elementary school kids here. We invite mothers here. We鈥檙e going to be inviting elderly people into this facility,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is not only an amazing facility for our student-athletes, but it going to create opportunities for health, safety, and fitness for everybody in the Valley.鈥�
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 鈥渙ut of working order鈥� bathroom sign across campus.
鈥淎n 鈥榦ut of order鈥� sign on a bathroom might not mean a lot,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut for me, it was a sign we were sending to our students.鈥�
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.
鈥淲e are barely getting started,鈥� 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 鈥渢ook a chance鈥� 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 Coach Mandy Montoya shared a story that captured the pride behind the renovation.
鈥淚t was Friday before our game,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was in the cardio room talking to an electrician, and he said, 鈥楾his is such a huge recruiting tool.鈥� And I told him, 鈥楾he funny thing is, I have a recruit coming today.鈥欌��
That recruit had previously visited campus in November, before renovations were complete.
鈥淪he and her family saw what it looked like prior,鈥� Montoya explained. 鈥淲e told her, 鈥楾his is going to get upgraded. This is not what it going to look like when you鈥檙e here next year.鈥�
When the family returned and saw the finished space, their reaction was immediate.
鈥淭hey were blown away,鈥� Montoya said. 鈥淲hen 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.鈥�
Northern Men 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.
鈥淚鈥檝e been in college basketball for 15 years,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes it just talk, and actions are never taken. But here, we got a lot of stuff done.鈥�
He pointed to practical improvements that immediately affected student-athletes, including upgraded access from the locker room to the gym.
鈥淲e want this to be a home for them,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e recruited them to come play for
our college. Fixing that access problem was huge.鈥�
Beyond access, he emphasized the refinished floor, upgraded training spaces, and continued
improvements underway.
鈥淲e want to grow enrollment. We want to retain students,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is how you
do it. You show that we鈥檙e not just about talk, we鈥檙e about action.鈥�
He also shared a broader vision for the facility.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 just want to see basketball players in here,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to see staff,
community members, and classes going on. We want this to be a safe place. If they鈥檙e
here, they鈥檙e not somewhere else getting into trouble.鈥�
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.