County hires architect for sports complex

A county sports complex proposed two years ago is still a hot topic among Curry County commissioners.

Commissioners debated it again Tuesday as part of a

proposal to engage the services of FBT Architects of Albuquerque in the initial phase of planning.

The facility would have four basketball courts, a 25-meter pool, a youth pool, three multipurpose rooms, a running track, a youth play area, a rock-climbing wall, two multipurpose fields and two baseball/softball diamonds.

“I think it’s a good project, but I don’t see people getting on board,” Commissioner Seth Martin said.

Martin said one concern he has is that plans call for it to be built on Clovis city property.

“I want to see it built on county property,” Martin said.

Martin called on the other commissioners to express their thoughts on the sports complex.

“I’m struggling with this deal now,” Commissioner Dusty Leatherwood said.

Commission Chair Robert Thornton said a sports complex “is something people tend to want,” but acknowledged “I’ve had concerns about this project from the very first.”

Commissioner Bradley Bender outlined his case for going forward with the plan.

“I spoke with a three-star general at Cannon (Air Force Base) who said Clovis is one of the military communities that doesn’t have a facility like this,” Bender said.

Bender said he believes military families want a sports complex.

“And the city (of Clovis) is full on board with this. It may not provide income for the county, but it provides the community with things to do,” Bender said.

“We’re all Curry County, including the city. We need to be united in this,” Commissioner Fidel Madrid said.

“It’s the (operational costs) of the facility that concerns me,” Martin said.

After discussion, Martin moved to approve the proposal to enter into a contract with FBT Architects for $160,000 plus gross receipts tax.

Commissioners voted unanimously to do so.

County Manager Lance Pyle encouraged commissioners to engage in dialog with state lawmakers to work on capital outlay funds for the complex.