Fifteen years in the making, the Westside Sports Complex appears to be approaching the finish line — at least when it comes to where it will be built.
The Albuquerque City Council is expected to finalize the location for the complex at its Aug. 5 regular meeting. The city and state governments have earmarked more than $11.25 million for the project.
The site is at St. Josephs Drive and Atrisco Drive, State Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas told City Desk ABQ. He said the project is “probably the biggest thing happening right now” on the Westside.
City Councilor Louie Sanchez, who sponsored the legislation identifying the site, said the project is important not just for his district, but for all of Albuquerque. He said the complex could be chosen to host regional tournaments and serve as a practice space for youth athletic teams, as well as “open gym” periods for casual users.
In the first phase, Sanchez said, the center will have eight basketball courts that can also be used for volleyball, wrestling and other indoor sports. Extreme sports, pickleball and indoor soccer are among other sports the resolution says may be played there.
A second phase will include a “finals arena,” where major matches can be played.
Sanchez said young athletes currently have to pay for practice space. He said a city-owned and operated building will provide that service at low cost or even for free. He also said the site will allow tournament teams to practice and play their matches in the same location, so they don’t have to travel.
Sanchez said the area around the proposed sports complex site includes amenities for visitors, including restaurants and lodging.
He said some of his constituents were concerned about the possibility of increased traffic in the area, but a study showed the sports complex will generate half the traffic a retail center would at the same location.
The text of the resolution the council will consider says the project will improve quality of life and regional economic development and address increased demand for youth sports venues.
It’s unclear how long it will be before the complex is complete.
But the resolution says the city hopes to construct it “as expeditiously as possible in order to provide benefits to the community, maximize the buying power of appropriated funds, and complete the project within the legal timeline requirements for appropriated funds.”
Sanchez said he’s hopeful about a groundbreaking taking place soon. He said late City Councilor and Bernalillo County Commissioner Ken Sanchez advocated for the complex for more than 15 years. The two are not related.
“I’m very optimistic that Ken Sanchez’s dream is going to come to fruition,” he said.
Nonprofit journalism like this depends on readers like you. This story is supported by City Desk ABQ, a nonprofit newsroom project of Citizen Media Group supporting news and politics coverage that inspires readers to participate in local democracy. Become a supporter to keep City Desk free and support nonprofit, independent journalists covering politics and policy f0r New Mexico newsrooms.