MCC's Building A reopens after mold remediation

Mesalands Community College reopened its main Building A after a company eradicated mold contamination there and the college’s executive team determined it could be open to the public and students despite ongoing repairs.

Mesalands President Gregg Busch during an Oct. 18 board of trustees meeting talked about the possibility of closing Building A until early 2023 due to needed reconstruction of its bathrooms after sheetrock, tiles and flooring were removed to eradicate the mold.

“It was determined at the Executive meeting, the following day, that two pairs of restrooms were available to be used and building A could continue in operation for all,” stated Josh McVey, vice president of public relations, in an email last week.

He added the repairs “would not impede classes for the (current) semester.”

Busch said said during the Oct. 18 meeting an environmental scan on Buildings A, C, D and the former armory on campus contained mold or fungi “above acceptable levels.”

“Building A is currently open to all students, staff, faculty, and community and environmentally safe,” McVey stated last week. “The eradication of any and all microbes was completed Tuesday (October 18). All buildings have been certified free of any environmental concerns.”

McVey said the total cost of remediation was $51,400.

According to reports provided by McVey, Klean Force Environmental of El Paso, Texas, and Virginia-based Hayes Microbial Consulting were part of the detection and remediation efforts.