Curry County receives $6.5 million grant toward livestock pavilion

Curry County has been awarded $6.5 million grant from New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division, to put towards the County’s plan to build a new multi-purpose livestock pavilion at the county fairgrounds.

Plans for the new facility include demolishing the existing 60-year-old livestock barns at the fairgrounds and building the new pavilion fully equipped with portable stalls.

The plans for the new livestock pavilion include a 41,400 square foot facility with approximately 252 stalls. The pavilion will also include an office, restrooms and wash stalls for livestock.

According to a news release from County Manager Lance Pyle, the project was first incorporated into the Curry County Fairgrounds Master Plan in 2010 and has been on the County’s Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan since then. In August of 2022, Curry County submitted the Regional Recreation Centers-Quality of Life Grant application requesting just over $11.6 million.

With the grant award of $6.5 million and cash match from the County of over $2.13 million the remaining amount still needed to fund the project is close to $5.12 million for a total project cost estimated at $13.75 million.

The County has submitted an appropriation request for the 2023 Legislative Session for the additional amount needed.

The Curry County Events Center hosts many events throughout the year, with most being equine competitions such as riding and roping events.

Pyle said in his news release in past years, event partners have voiced their concern with the lack of available space and have moved their events to other facilities equipped to handle their needs.

“This has been in the works for years and we are ecstatic about the funding allocation to make this come to fruition,” Pyle said in the news release. “ The Pavilion will enhance our fairgrounds and make it possible to recruit and host larger and better events in our community and generate revenue for the local and state economy.”

Pyle believes the new pavilion would allow event contestants a location to stall their horses or other livestock.

Pyle believes in addition to equine events, the pavilion can also be used for year-round activities such as farmer’s markets, craft shows, sales, and more.