LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Renovations on the New Mexico State University Alumni Pond are now under way.
The pond was closed by the school in August 2023 after it lost 750,000 gallons of water in just three days due to a leak. Restoration began last month and is expected to end in late May. It is being done in partnership with Crosstown Construction, with project design led by Molzen-Corbin & Associates.
According to Executive Director of Facilities and Services Jose Loera, the reason it took over two years for renovations to start was due to financial problems. While total costs have not been confirmed, NMSU officials sent an email to all students and staff in September 2024 saying a complete rebuild had the potential to cost at least $1,000,000.
“The challenges have really been just acquiring the funding,” Loera said. “We are in construction with the local contractor, Crosstown Construction. They’ve been very good to work with. Our design engineers have been very good to work with also, so we’re in a good path forward. We are on schedule and within budget, and we hope to have the pond completed by the end of May (2026).”
Students and pedestrians have been rerouted around the construction zone and this will continue to be the case until the restoration is finished. Signage has been implemented to guide people walking in the area and campus officials recommend individuals to follow these posted routes during construction.
This is the current stage of the project. Future plans include a new bridge for individuals to fish or walk across, better lighting, and more efficient landscaping. Both NMSU and the NMSU Foundation have raised funds for these projects.
The duck pond is something that has always been loved by students and alumni. Loera knows this and hopes the long wait satisfies the community.
“We’re very excited. I used to bring my kids there to fish when they were young, and looking forward to other families being able to enjoy that,” Loera said. “In the campus community, there’s a lot of students who would go sit under the trees there and do their homework and just enjoy the wildlife.”
This renovation is part of a valiant effort to regenerate campus activities and memories. The pond is essential part of the university, as it has proven to be a great spot for students to study and enjoy the environment. Employees, alumni and other pedestrians also have the experience to witness this beloved spot.
Updates on the construction process will be shared throughout the semester. To help with the Alumni Pond Restoration Fund, visit https://alwaysanaggie.org/donate/alumni-pond/.
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