Having an idea on where you want to be years from now can be relatively simple. Having an idea along with a complete, thought-out plan in hand as a guide to help get you there is a critical tool and another thing altogether.

Williston State College intends on having such a tool at its disposal, recently moving forward with the task of crafting a new master plan.

Within the next several months, the goal is to have a completed master plan finished and ready to use to achieve its long-term goals of growth and furthering its ties into the community.

Ray Nadolny, WSC President, went before the Williston City Commission Sept. 22 to request funds for hiring an architectural firm to help in crafting the plan. He was met with praise from the commission as well as from city officials. The college was awarded a STAR Fund grant in the amount of $42,350 towards creating the plan.

Nadolny said WSC hasn't created a new master plan since the mid-1990s and had originally been budgeted for using $2,000 to do some updates to their current master plan this year. He said they are in need of a new plan. With millions of dollars in construction projects set to begin by spring of 2010, Nadolny said the time is now. He said putting together a plan for building on the momentum the new additions will bring is an important task for the college and its future. "We want to be able to have a plan in hand that shows where we want to be in five to 10 years from now. The master plan tells us what to do to get there," said Nadolny.

To help with the development of the new plan, the college has hired JLG Architects out of Grand Forks to help translate their plan for the future onto a physical document.

He said hiring an architectural firm and putting the actual plan together is an expensive project, but doing so more than pays for itself in the long run.

"If I was to go seek funding from the Legislature for a project such as a new dorm or for renovations, having this document in front of me to show them exactly what we're looking to do will help us in getting those dollars," said Nadolny.

Getting the money for the current building projects and renovations went very well, said Nadolny. He said having good connections in Bismarck and a solid delegation of local legislators who worked to make it happen were key in getting that funding. But, he added, WSC won't always be so lucky in the future without proper documents and details, ready and on hand. The master plan would provide that.

Nadolny said the first Master Plan Committee meeting would be Oct. 7.

"This is basically an introductory meeting, introducing everyone to the architectural firm and begin to talk about what we want to do," said Nadolny.

The Master Plan Committee will then set about compiling ideas and getting the actual document completed. The college plans on having the plan done by May 2010.

"The committee will consist of no more than 20 people. It will consist of administrative heads and members of staff as well as people of leadership in the community," said Nadolny.

Nadolny said they will have a series of meetings with the committee to put together the document, getting feedback and ideas on how things would work from the architect as well. What Nadolny would like to do is set up opportunities for the public to provide their ideas and feedback on where the college should be going.

"Having some open forums for the public would be great. Maybe some surveys, too. We'd like to get some feedback from the public because we're really looking to try to do more in tying ourselves into the community more," said Nadolny.

With JLG in town, the Residence Hall Committee will be able to meet and discuss their project, since JLG is also helping in developing plans for the new dorm building.

Nadolny said being able to put together the new master plan is already getting staff excited.

"It may seem small, but we saw some very rough sketches with boulevards being put in the parking lot. Those who've seen it were very excited, it looked very inviting and university-like," said Nadolny.

With the master plan, the college is setting itself up for being able to have a plan set in place for future growth once the dorm, technology center and science lab projects are completed.

Future plans being considered at this point include adding a cultural art center, adding historical artwork inside and outside, and even adding a football and hockey program.

"People are getting excited. Things are just starting."