Study plans stall

Roosevelt County Community Development Corp. Director Doug Redmond is tapping into in-house and community resources to complete a family entertainment center study.

Redmond said no official action will be taken until the Community development board meets next week. Roosevelt County commissioners weren't pleased to hear the news Tuesday at their meeting that plans for the study have stalled after approving to fund a third of the cost of the $35,000 study last month.

Redmond proposed to commissioners the RCCDC only pay for the feasibility portion of the study before proceeding in paying for the rest.

County Manager Charlene Webb asked commissioners if they are still interested in funding their portion.

"Charlene was letting them know about the progress to see if they wanted to go ahead and still fund their portion," Redmond said.

He added that he suggested only paying for the feasibility portion of the study first to see if in fact a family fun center for the area would be feasible before paying for the rest of the study, including a building and engineer plan.

"If we don't like the numbers from the feasibility study the we wouldn't have to spend the rest of that money," Redmond said. "I'm trying to protect the limited resources we have if we go that route."

Redmond believes a family entertainment center is a great idea for the area because it adds to the quality of life in the community.

He also says money leaks out to other communities as families and residents often enjoy entertainment elsewhere.

Commissioners are still in support of the study, but some said they want it to be done right.

"I don't want to waste any of the county money if the study is only going to be done halfway," said County Commissioner Jake Lopez to Redmond.

Redmond stressed to commissioners that the feasibility study would help them decide whether they should proceed with the rest of the center's study.

Although no action was taken Tuesday, the county has still pledged their portion to fund the study, just slightly under $12,000 and the rest will be covered by Local Economic Development Assistant funds, if they choose to go that route.

Redmond said at their board meeting next week, he plans to propose the committee put together its own study.

He's also thinking about reaching out to community members such as Eastern New Mexico University officials so it can cut the costs of the original amount projected.