NMJC approves $6.99M Mansur Hall remodel on Hobbs campus

New Mexico Junior College has approved a $6,995,745 guaranteed maximum price for a major renovation of Mansur Hall, a 15,499-square-foot academic building the college says is its most heavily used instructional space. For Lovington-area students who use NMJC’s Hobbs campus, the project should affect classrooms and campus access while work is underway.

What NMJC approved

According to the June 18 board packet, construction is expected to begin in July 2026 and last about 12 months. The work includes full abatement and upgrades to plumbing, electrical, data, fire suppression, lighting, and ceiling systems. Three exterior entrances will be removed, and the affected areas will be restored with terrazzo flooring.

The renovation also includes new glazing, exterior window louvers, and high-efficiency plumbing and lighting fixtures. Interior spaces will be reconfigured for classrooms, collaborative areas, faculty offices, and student support space. NMJC says the project is meant to improve flexibility, support enrollment growth, and make the building more useful for day-to-day instruction.

Why Lovington readers should care

NMJC says it fills an important educational need for Lea County and the surrounding area, and its history page lists Hobbs as the main campus. That makes Mansur Hall a practical issue for Lovington students, families, and workers who rely on the college for transfer classes, general education, and workforce training.

The upside is a more modern building and better learning space. The downside is that students and staff should expect some disruption near Mansur Hall during construction, especially around entrances and nearby walkways.

Why the timing matters

Local reporting from the Hobbs News-Sun says NMJC enrollment has been rising, and the board packet backs that up with year-over-year increases in spring, summer, and fall enrollment. That doesn’t solve every capacity issue, but it helps explain why the college is investing in one of its busiest buildings now.

For Lovington-area residents, the main question is not whether the remodel is happening. It is how much construction will affect campus routines this summer and what the updated building will mean for students when it reopens next year.

Sources

• New Mexico Junior College — June 18, 2026 Virtual Board Meeting packet
• Hobbs News-Sun — NMJC to remodel Mansur Hall