Project Description

Conceptual Renderings Courtesy of RMKM Architecture

Project Status: Construction 

Estimated Substantial Completion: September 2025

Project/Construction Manager: Tony Silva, UNM Facilities Design & Construction, tosilva@unm.edu

Project/Construction External Media Contact: Lydia Thomas, ISS Marketing & Communications, lgosling@unm.edu
 

Project Summary

The ROTC Track project introduces a new 1/8-mile athletic track and accompanying parking area—approximately 65,000 square feet—directly west of the newly renovated Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Track & Training Field Education Complex (Building 0196). Formerly an undeveloped lot owned by The University of New Mexico, the site now serves as a secure, accessible training space designed to meet the specific needs of ROTC cadets and cadres.

The project includes:

• Installation of a natural grass training field with irrigation
• Light poles with integrated security lighting to support zero-hour training
• Concrete pads for drill formations
• On-site wireless access points for Wi-Fi connectivity
• Stabilization and landscaping throughout the area

This facility represents the continuation of a long-term vision for ROTC at UNM. Several years ago, funding was secured through a General Obligation (G.O.) Bond to develop a new ROTC headquarters. That building was completed and opened in 2023. While the original plan included the construction of a ¼-mile track, budget constraints led to a revised scope, resulting in the 1/8-mile track now under development. Planning for the track resumed immediately following the opening of the HQ building. 

The new track directly addresses the training needs of ROTC cadets, providing a convenient and secure location for physical fitness assessments and daily conditioning. Previously, cadets relied on Johnson Center and its surrounding fields—facilities that are in high demand across campus. This project alleviates that pressure and enhances access for both ROTC and the broader university community. By reducing the need for frequent trips across campus, the track also improves safety for cadets who formerly crossed University Boulevard multiple times each day for training.

The track will serve as a dedicated, purpose-built space that meets the high standards required for military training while also contributing to campus-wide resource sharing. Its strategic location near the ROTC Education Complex strengthens the program’s presence on campus and supports students preparing for careers as officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

This project represents a tangible outcome of the decades-long partnership between UNM, the State of New Mexico, and the ROTC programs. It delivers a lasting resource that supports student success, enhances training efficiency, and reflects UNM’s ongoing investment in service-based leadership education.

“The track is the newest product of the decades-long partnership between UNM, the State of New Mexico, and our three ROTC programs, providing a new level of resources to the UNM students who are future officers in the U.S. Armed Forces," said David Weiss, Dean of UNM University College.

When cadets, staff, and visitors step onto this track, we hope they feel a sense of excitement and pride—a reflection of the discipline, commitment, and progress it represents.

Architect

RMKM Architecture

Contractor

All-Rite Construction Inc. (RITECON)

Funding

• $855,000 2023 General Fund Appropriation
• $650,000 2022 Severance Tax Bond Appropriation