Augusta State University President William Bloodworth further detailed on Wednesday his university's plans for growth, which have lately involved talk of the Augusta Municipal Golf Course.

Advertisement

Speaking at a news conference at ASU's University Village Clubhouse where student housing is provided, Bloodworth said the course off Highland Avenue, known as "the Patch," has more than 100 acres of land and made its way on ASU's radar only recently as city leaders became concerned about operational costs there.

"That land could meet the needs of Augusta State University for the next 50 years, solving the problems of space that this institution has faced since it was chartered as the Junior College of Augusta in 1925," he said, but quickly stressed "the reality is that the city must decide the fate of the Patch."

Bloodworth said ASU is nearing capacity at its Walton Way campus and would be "very pleased" if the city decided to give the property to ASU in return for "special accommodations at Forest Hills and the huge economic benefit (of more students) that ultimately would come to the city."

One such accommodation would be grandfathering in Patch members at no extra charge at the nearby Board of Regents-owned Forest Hills Golf Course.

And "if the city decided to sell the property at a reasonable price and our foundation were to raise enough money for the purchase, that might be a possibility," Bloodworth said. "Such a purchase cannot be made, however, with our state appropriation and tuition revenues -- and in the current budget climate I doubt very seriously whether the Board of Regents would make a request of the governor for bond funding for such a purchase."

The master plan, which began last fall as a revision to a 2004 plan, foresees student growth 20 years out and would start with the construction of a $28 million College of Education and Department of Nursing building that would accommodate 1,000 students. A design for the building costing $1.8 million in bond funds was recently recommended by the Board of Regents, but it remains to be seen whether the governor and Legislature will sign off this year for the bond money or wait another year amid tough economic times.

The enrollment at ASU is around 7,000, and Bloodworth said that at a 5 percent growth rate the university in 20 years could have nearly 19,000 students. The new building would be the first of more academic facilities to come based on enrollment growth targets of 8,000, 10,000 and 14,000, said Kathy Hamrick, a planner for ASU.

The first new building would be the size of Allgood Hall and in a best case scenario could be opened in three or four years. ASU officials originally considered putting it on land at the Christenberry Field House, but when talk arose about the Patch it also was looked at as an option.

The decision involving the course ultimately rests with the Augusta Commission, which through a committee has ordered an audit of the course's operations.

ASU officials have said the Patch property lists at about $2 million, and if the university tried to find a similar amount of acreage it would cost between $35 million to $38 million.

"Getting the Patch would jump start us," Hamrick said. "It would jump start a lot."