Breaking new ground in healthcare

“This is an incredible day for all of us here at Aims,” President Marsi Liddell told the crowd of nearly 200. “Two or three years ago, we never thought we’d be here so quickly.”

Aims Board of Trustees President Ken Nickerson said this is the start of a journey for the college and the community. “This is really an opportunity for us to put well educated and trained students on a path to healthy careers,” Nickerson said. “As healthcare providers, every one of them will potentially have an impact on every one of us.”

The bulk of the estimated $18 million building will be paid for using financial reserves, with the remainder to be raised through certificates of participation and donations from the community.

Already, North Colorado Medical Center and Banner Health Systems have donated $100,000 each, and the Monfort Foundation has pledged a $1 million matching donation. “This is a great project,” said Dick Monfort. “It’s building a way for a person to get a better job, get a better career and give back to the community.”

Alliance Construction Solutions will oversee the construction, and the building is scheduled to open for classes in fall 2007.

“There are numerous naming opportunities still available, ranging from the building itself to $100 brick pavers,” said Aims Director of Institutional Advancement Susan Kirkpatrick.

The 65,000-square-foot building will house Aims’ nursing, surgical technology, radiologic technology, EMS, medical assisting, chemistry, biology, physics, and anatomy and physiology programs in a cutting-edge facility, complete with simulation laboratories stocked with the latest technology available.