Two years after moving to a new campus on Bloomington's west side, Ivy Tech Community College is looking ahead to the possibility it will have to expand.

It's buying 16 acres of nearby land for future building and parking needs, said Chancellor John Whikehart. The State Budget Committee approved the $595,000 purchase Friday.

"It's a great opportunity for us to get that land and avoid being landlocked," Whikehart said.

State Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, and state Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington, announced the budget committee approval.

"By obtaining sufficient land for future expansion at Bloomington, Ivy Tech officials are anticipating the future educational needs of the community, Monroe County and surrounding areas," Simpson said in a news release.

The mostly vacant property, being purchased from the Olin D. Sorrells Trust, is located east of Ivy Tech. It is bordered by Ind. 48, Profile Parkway and Zenith Drive.

The purchase is contingent on a study of environmental conditions of the land, which is separated from Ivy Tech by another farm property.

"This gives us an opportunity for future expansion, and we have continued to talk to the owners of the other farm property," Whikehart said.

Under state law, Ivy Tech can't pay more than the property's appraised value.

Whikehart said the college will pay for the land with money from several sources, including $320,000 in leftover earnings from construction bonds, $140,000 from the sale of property at its previous site and $80,000 from the sale of right-of-way for an Ind. 48 widening project.

The remaining $55,000 will come from operating funds or a state Ivy Tech loan.

Ivy Tech Bloomington moved to its $23 million facility on Daniels Way in August 2002. But continued growth — to 3,468 full-time and part-time students — has put most of the building and parking lot into use.

And new programs, including a biotechnology degree program, will require additional lab space, Whikehart said.

While the campus might be able to justify adding facilities now, it will likely have to get in line behind some of Ivy Tech's other 22 campuses. Meanwhile, it is scheduling more classes on Fridays and Saturdays to avoid crowding.

"We're going to have to get real creative real quickly in terms of our space needs," Whikehart said.

Reporter Steve Hinnefeld can be reached at 331-4374 or by e-mail at shinnefeld@heraldt.com