The Spokane campus of Apollo College, having enjoyed enrollment surges in its medical-training programs during its first few years here, is moving to larger quarters.


The Phoenix-based college has leased about 15,000 square feet of floor space in the International Gateway Corporate Park, at 10102 E. Knox, in the Spokane Valley, and plans to move its Spokane branch there this summer, says Deanna Baker, a campus director for Apollo who recently was transferred from Spokane to a new Apollo campus in Albuquerque, N.M. Baker had worked on finding the new campus here.


The Spokane branch, which opened in early 1999, currently is located in a 10,000-square-foot building at 1101 N. Fancher, in the Spokane Valley. It has about 460 students, up substantially from 77 students three years ago.


Tenant improvements are under way in the new location, which is visible from Interstate 90. Baker referred questions about the cost of the improvements to a real estate agent involved in the lease, who declined to disclose a cost figure.


Baker says Apollo is expected to move into its new quarters in August, in time for fall-quarter classes to be taught there.


Baker says the school has been cramped in its current location for nearly two years.


The Spokane campus offers an associates degree in radiography, which provides training for X-ray technicians and diploma programs for dental assistants, medical administrative assistants, medical assistants, and pharmacy technicians.


A Washington state-initiated study has found that there are worker shortages in most medical-related fields here, and that the industry expects those shortages will continue to grow substantially.


Apollo is considering adding programs here, but hasnt decided yet whether it will do so, Baker says .


The school is accredited through the Falls Church, Va.-based Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.


Apollo College, founded in Phoenix in 1976, currently has almost 2,600 students at seven locations. In addition to the Spokane branch, it has three branches in the Phoenix area, one in Tucson, Ariz., one in Portland, Ore., and the new one in Albuquerque.


Matthew Byrd, of Byrd Real Estate Group LLC, and Mark Lucas, of Kiemle & Hagood Co., handled the lease.