Trustee Zimmerman outlines expansion plans for MSJC

Bill Zimmerman stands at the future site of an athletic complex on the south side of Mt. San Jacinto College. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Bill Zimmerman has been selected by his colleagues to serve as President of the Board of Trustees for Mt. San Jacinto Community College. Zimmerman represents District 3, which includes Menifee.

The role includes setting the agenda and chairing the public meetings, speaking at ceremonies and certain approvals. Zimmerman brings experience running meetings, having served as chairman for Menifee’s Planning Commission, city Parks Commission, and has served as chairman for Riverside County’s Trails Commission.

With the recent passing of Measure AA, a $295 million bond measure, the campus in Menifee is anticipating new facilities in the coming years. At a recent facilities workshop, Zimmerman advocated for starting the planned athletic complex on the Menifee Valley Campus, where future college football games will be held.

Community college facilities are funded by local and state money. New proposals use the state’s "Fusion" process, a funding program that offers matching dollars for projects that have been approved by the State Architect (DSA).

"The last two years, MSJC has been denied the state matching funds, so we keep re-submitting," Zimmerman said. "Recently, the board supported my suggestion that we also move forward with a simultaneous locally-funded project, the athletic stadium in Menifee," said Zimmerman.

Zimmerman hopes to receive state matching funds for the proposed Math and Science building, which would provide needed lab space for students, free up some bottlenecks in enrollment and eliminate waiting lists for certain high demand classes and career paths on the Menifee Valley campus.

Zimmerman, who was a founding member of Arts Council Menifee, also wants to see the Menifee campus include a new Cultural and Performing Arts building in the near future.

"I believe the college campus is the jewel in Menifee’s crown, and I’m honored to be a part of the great things ahead in our community," said Zimmerman.

The football stadium will replace the current stadium being used on the San Jacinto campus. That facility is outdated and in need of repair, Zimmerman said. He also said college officials and trustees believe shifting some of the major sports facilities to the Menifee Valley campus will attract more high school athletes because of its location along the 215 Freeway, more centralized to Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and surrounding cities.

A running track is planned for the southeast corner of the college property, with the football stadium located farther north, on the back of the campus and bordering Bell Mountain Middle School and the Wheatfield Park athletic fields.

The start date for construction has not been determined, Zimmerman said.

Below is a map of the proposed campus master plan, including a legend describing the various structures. The large open field that now exists across the south border of the campus will include the track, football stadium and expanded parking.