Lawmakers fund Uintah Basin facility

VERNAL — It took nine years, but with just hours left in the 2006 legislative session, lawmakers approved funding for a facility that will provide a presence in Vernal for the Uintah Basin Applied Technology College and Utah State University Uintah Basin.

"We are just absolutely excited about the project," said Uintah County Commissioner Mike McKee. "It is good for the Vernal area, but in a deeper way it is good for the whole Basin."

Unlike years past when proponents of the facility sat on pins and needles, hoping their lobbying efforts would pay off, several factors — including financial backing from Uintah County — made it appear that $9.9 million in state money pledged by the governor prior to the session was in the bag.

"It was so high on the list that we were 90 percent sure that it would pass," said Darrell White, president of the Utah College of Applied Technology. "But it's always nice to have it right in front of you."

An architect for the 74,000-square-foot, $14.5 million building will be selected in mid-April, said Paul Hacking, president of the Uintah Basin Applied Technology College. It will take about nine months to design the building. Construction is tentatively expected to begin in early 2007, depending on the weather.

With the addition of the facility, new offerings and new instructors will be added over time, said Hacking — but there's one more huge advantage that comes with the new building.

"We will be able to offer our courses in a professional learning environment. No matter how good your teachers are, if you don't have the space, it's difficult," he said.

The difference in successfully obtaining funding for the project after years of disappointing close calls can be attributed to a combination of things, including last summer's visit to Vernal by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., said McKee. The visit was spurred by the rapid economic growth experienced in Uintah County due to the resurgence in the exploration and production of oil and gas. County leaders wanted the governor to get a first-hand look at the challenges they faced in meeting the demands on their resources and infrastructure.

After Huntsman saw the crowded, weathered trailers where instructors and students meet for UBATC classes, he said he was "convinced of the need for this building" and pledged almost $10 million for construction.

Uintah County has $2.5 million in Community Impact Board grants and loans to contribute. The land was donated earlier by the Uintah School District and the county. At the same time, USU Uintah Basin is actively lining up donors to contribute to the building fund.