Design firm picked for new school wing

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho school board on Monday approved a $240,750 contract with Vigil & Associates architectural firm to design a new classroom wing at Vista Grande Elementary School.

The firm designed the library extension at Colinas del Norte Elementary in Rio Rancho and several elementary school renovations the Albuquerque Public Schools district.

Al Sena, RRPS executive director of facilities, said last week that the district hopes to start construction late this summer and complete the addition by late December or early January.

When Vista Grande opened in August 2002, it was smaller than the typical elementary schoo in the district, but officials said they would eventually add another classroom wing to increase its capacity.