AHORA looking for tourney help from recreation board

Ron Jackson, Portales Recreation Board chairman, said he will talk with Association to Help Our Race Advance members from Eastern New Mexico University on the costs of using the Portales Softball Complex to raise money for scholarships.

Freddy Bolanos of AHORA said last year AHORA members didn’t have to pay any fees and they were able to hold a tournament and use the concession stand to raise $1,500 for a scholarship.

Erika Talamantes of AHORA said they want to hold a one-day tournament this year on April 29, but there are too many fees associated with holding a tournament at the softball complex.

Talamantes said she’s been told of fees for each team, fees for each umpire used and not being able to use the concession stand.

Jackson said he will work with AHORA members so they will be able to use the concession stand. Portales City Manager Debi Lee said since last year the city of Portales has gone into an agreement with the United States Slowpitch Softball Association to provide umpires and insurance for tournaments held at the softball complex.

“The reason we contracted with USSSA was because the insurance was cheaper,” Lee said. “One option may be to have a provision that Eastern New Mexico University use the field if they provide insurance.”

Roger Jackson, USSSA area director for Clovis and Portales, said there is a $5 cost to sanction each team for a single tournament. For example, if there are 10 teams, the cost to hold sanctioned teams in a tournament is $50. There is also a $20 registration fee per team and it covers the team for the entire year.

Jackson said the use of USSSA umpires carries an $18-to-$24 fee per game. He said these fees cover the city of Portales from any liability issues.

Also at Thursday’s Recreation Board meeting:

l Herschel Nixon and Charles Brooks of the Portales Bowhunters Club requested use of city land near the Blackwater well site off of N.M. Highway 202. Recreation board members said they will see if that land is available and if there is a way the Portales Bowhunters Club members can use it.

Brooks said there are about 20 to 40 acres of land off of N.M. 202. Nixon said they would like to have an outdoor complex so they can hold sanctioned state competitions in Portales to go with the sanctioned indoor complex events.

Nixon said a bowhunters’ shoot was held in January at the Portales Recreation Center.

l Lorenzo Baca of the Portales Skatepark Organization said members will be raising money by holding candy sales, car washes and a skateboard demonstration in April. Portales city councilors in December approved the north side of the Portales Recreation Center as the location for the Portales Skatepark.

Portales officials listed a $25,000 request for the skate park project in the capital outlay session of the 2006 legislature, but they were denied the request.