New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is exploring the purchase of the old hospital with Lea County providing the funding for the purchase. On July 25, Lea County Board of Commissioners authorized agreements between Lea County, Covenant Health and NMJC for the acquisition by NMJC of approximately 15 acres north and immediately adjacent to NMJC, including the Covenant Health Legacy Hospital and four medical office buildings for $1,750,000. Lea County would provide the funding for the potential purchase. The Covenant Legacy Hospital includes five acres of land subleased by Covenant Health from the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County who in turn leases this property from the City of Hobbs. As part of the potential purchase of the Covenant Health Legacy Hospital, NMJC will discuss options with the City of Hobbs and the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County to address the lease and sublease of this 5-acre tract. 

At the NMJC Board meeting held on August 15, 2024, the NMJC Board voted to accept the funding from Lea County in the amount of $1,750,000 for the potential purchase of the Covenant Health Legacy Hospital, approved entering into a memorandum of agreement with Lea County concerning the funding and authorized the President of NMJC to negotiate an agreement with Covenant Hospital to purchase the Covenant Heath Legacy Hospital. The memorandum of agreement between Lea County and NMJC must be approved by the Lea County Board of Commissioners. Once a final agreement is reached between NMJC and Covenant Health, the purchase must still be approved by the New Mexico Higher Education Department and the New Mexico Board of Finance. 

Some NMJC Board members and members of the NMJC administration have toured the facility with contractors to help explore feasible uses of the property. If acquired and approved, NMJC leaders will use their Strategic Plan and Master Facilities Plan, to help drive efforts for best use of the property. Currently, most leadership believes the best use of the property and likely requirement of the New Mexico Higher Education Department will be to demolish the aging hospital. The land could then be used for a multitude of purposes, which may include much-needed drainage (which could benefit NMJC, Lea County and the City of Hobbs), and state-of-the art facilities to serve the growing school. Some possibilities include and indoor athletic complex and other outdoor fields to support future sports programs such as softball.

Current medical office buildings will remain in place, and as NMJC moves forward, administrators will work with Covenant Health on a strategic transition plan to prevent the displacement of doctors or medical practices in our area.

 

About New Mexico Junior College (NMJC): New Mexico Junior College is a comprehensive, two-year public institution located in Hobbs, New Mexico. NMJC provides quality educational opportunities that are accessible, affordable, and responsive to the diverse needs of its students and community.

For media inquiries, please contact Derek Moore, NMJC President. 

Contact: Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Outreach and Engagement, New Mexico Junior College, 575-492-2780, vgauna@nmjc.edu