Officials talk sports complex location

The Curry County Commission, after discussing three possible sites to locate a proposed sports complex, came to a consensus without a vote Tuesday to go forward for now with the fairgrounds property near the Curry County Events Center as the site of choice.

The two other sites under discussion at the meeting were Hillcrest Park and the former site of the Parkview Elementary School.

Commissioner Seth Martin said it would be “reckless on our part” to consider a site that would require both purchasing the land and paying to construct the building, when this was not necessary.

The county owns the land at the fairgrounds but does not own the other proposed sites.

Commissioner Robert Thornton said residents living around the school site “are not going to appreciate” people coming in and out of the complex for basketball games, which was another factor in the selection.

The county hired as consultants for the project Vigil & Associates Architectural Group, P.C., an Albuquerque-based firm. At the meeting, members of the group made a presentation describing proposed programs for what they estimated would be a 26,000-square-foot facility.

Martin said he had a concern that “less than half of the total building is planned for use as a gymnasium.”

Thornton said the county needs “as big a space as we can possibly get” for the gymnasium – “maybe (something) the size of a football field,” which could then be broken down into individual components. “The space is more important than the fluff — don’t think all this fluff is necessary.”

Martin said: “We’re looking for spaces to entertain our kids.” However, he said he didn’t want the county to construct another “tin building” like it had in the past. He wanted the facility to look attractive.

Commissioner Tom Martin said the county should consider an aquatics center at the site and not be dissuaded by the city’s plans to build a pool. “The city has had that pool on its drawing board for years,” Tom Martin said.

Thornton said the community needs as big a space as the county can afford and the “fancy stuff” could be phased in later.

The architectural firm showed programs for the interior spaces, including an elevated running track, a rock climbing wall and a fitness room, which the commissioners discussed.

Seth Martin said the county should eliminate the workout area. “This is for the kids to play.”

Clovis Municipal Schools Superintendent Renee Russ spoke about the importance of providing space in the county for youth to play organized sports. When children build sports skills at an early age, they “are more likely to stay engaged as adults,” she said.

Seth Martin said children are “so isolated” these days with their phones. “Group participation is what’s needed.”

Vigil & Associates told the commissioners the cost of the building would start at $12-13 million and go up from there.

In other business, the commission voted to renew its management contract for the Curry County Events Center with Spectra Venue Management for the period April 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, after lengthy discussion and over the criticism of Commission Chair Chet Spear.

Spear was concerned about the portion of the contract that awarded a bonus to the center’s management team when financial goals are reached.

Spear said he did not believe in paying people to do a job and then paying them additional money in the form of incentive pay.

Expressing that he believes the contracted amount of $84,000 is good, Thornton said he wouldn’t run the center for that amount.

Thornton added with K.C Messick as general manager of the Curry County Events Center, the county has seen an “improvement in what’s going on.”

The commissioners voted four in favor of approving the Spectra contract with Spear abstaining.

Also on the agenda was a public hearing and vote on an ordinance that would prohibit the “marketing and branding of cannabis products to children.”

Four commissioners voted to approve the ordinance and Seth Martin abstained.

In the public comments period at the beginning of the meeting, Krystal Gutierrez, director of health and related services for Clovis Municipal Schools, spoke about the ordinance.

The next day Gutierrez wrote her comments in an email to The News:

“The proposed ordinance prohibiting the marketing and branding of cannabis products to children is a step in the right direction to ensure the safety of students, especially on school campuses. Unfortunately, campuses across New Mexico are seeing cannabis products that mimic well-known brands. Parents need to be aware that edibles are being circulated in packaging that is almost identical to well-known and trusted brands.

“The objective of this ordinance is that packaging and labels not be designed for, or to appeal to a child. Approval of this ordinance helps prevent accidental ingestion and reduces the chance of Cannabis products being in the hands of children. It is important to increase awareness that these products exist as the first step in keeping them out of the hands of children. Supporting this ordinance helps keep our children safe.”

Also on the agenda was an item to approve the 2023 Curry County Fair Entertainment Budget.

Messick said the budget for next year’s entertainment is $129,050.

“We’re not looking to spend this to the penny, but it will give us some room so we can adjust it and get some good entertainment for the fair,” Messick said.

Last year’s budget, Messick said, was $116,950 of which $5,257 was not spent.

The commission approved the budget.

Finally, County Manager Lance Pyle requested approval of the 2023 Legislative Priorities and Capital Outlay Requests. The commission approved the following list Pyle sent in an email:

Curry County Requests: Total $15.6 million.

If Livestock Pavilion is funded with a separate grant request – then $3.8 million.

Capital outlay

1. Planning, Design and Construct a Livestock Pavilion at the Fairgrounds - $11.8 million plus $2 million match from the County

2. Road Improvements – Total - $1.385 million

a. CR 16 from SR 209 to SR 77 - $550,000 (micro seal/overlay)

b. CR 14 from SR 209 to CR N - $300,000 (micro seal/overlay)

c. CR AM from US 60/84 to CR 15 - $260,000 (Caliche)

d. CR 21 from SR 209 to CR K - $55,000 (micro seal/overlay)

e. CR 23 from SR 209 to CR I - $55,000 (micro seal/overlay)

f. JR Shumate Subdivision - $165,000 (micro seal/overlay)

3. Design and Planning for a County Recreation/Sport Complex - $825,000

4. Upgrades to County Communications Systems for Public Safety - $1.2 million.

5. Purchase and construct Courthouse security fencing - $400,000

Regional Project (Clovis, Portales, Ft. Sumner, De Baca County, Roosevelt County, Curry County, Quay County and Union County).

To plan, design and construct a Regional Behavior Health Facility in Clovis/Curry County: 72 inpatient beds – $45 Million, 48 inpatient beds – $39 Million or 32 inpatient beds – $31 Million.

Pyle also outlined a state/county partnership for the design and construction of a County Magistrate Court Addition to the District Courthouse adjacent to the Detention Center along with some special priorities – around $15 million.