Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Editor’s note: This is one in a continuing series of interviews with local officials. Sarah Stevens has been the general manager for the Clovis Civic Center since June 2023.
Q: What is the actual purpose of the Clovis Civic Center?
A: The purpose of the Clovis Civic Center is to provide an event venue for members of the community. These events include banquets, balls, meetings, conferences, quinceañeras, weddings, reunions, birthday and retirement parties. Also, we provide in-house events that the community is welcome to attend including Why Not Wednesday, Around the World, bunco, and afternoon tea.
Q: Describe the difference between the Clovis Civic Center and Curry County Events Center.
A: The Clovis Civic Center is geared more towards banquets, weddings, meetings, and conferences, whereas the Curry County Events Center is geared more toward rodeos, ropings, and concerts.
Q: Both centers are managed by the same company. Would you say the two entities are in competition with each other?
A: We are managed by the same company but are not in direct competition with each other. We each have our own niche that occasionally overlaps.
Q: What sort of incentives does the Clovis Civic Center offer to groups and organizations to have their events at your venue?
A: The benefit of having an event at the Clovis Civic Center is that it is all inclusive. We have an in-house chef to create a delicious meal, we provide bars, bartenders, security, linen, tables, and chairs. We set everything up before the event and clean everything up after the event. We do all the work, so you can have all the fun.
Q: What would you say is your busiest time of year?
A: Our busiest time of year is December when everyone is having their holiday parties. A close second and third are sports banquets in the spring and fall.
Q: What is the civic center’s current number one priority?
A: The current number one priority of the Clovis Civic Center is letting the community know that we are here for all of their party and meeting needs. We have an amazing team to help you plan your dream event within your budget.
Q: Is there anything in the works for the civic center? Any big changes people can look forward to? What about anything you’d like to see change in the future?
A: We dedicated the past year to improving the facility itself including a new audiovisual system, interior painting, and other visual improvements. We want the building to reflect the pride we put into each event. If you haven’t been to the Clovis Civic Center recently, stop by to say hello and check out the work going on. You may be inspired to throw your own party.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the best meal to eat at the civic center?
A: That’s actually a difficult question, because I like so many of them. I would say my favorite meal at the Clovis Civic Center is chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, and green beans with cheesecake for dessert.
— Compiled by Landry Sena, the Staff of the News
