Two East Mountains projects figure prominently in an $11.7 million parks and recreation bond package going before Bernalillo County voters this fall.
The biggest chunk of money for the area is improvements to the Los Vecinos Community Center in Tijeras. Parts of the center date back to the 1970s, said Kathy Korte, the county’s chief of government affairs.
The bond package contains $1.5 million for Los Vecinos, the subject of an ongoing renovation effort expected to cost $16.8 million altogether.
Korte said some upgrades are underway, including parking and accessibility improvements. The full scope of the project will include replacement of the skate park, playing fields and playgrounds.
A new multisport court is being added, along with a loop trail and a stage for special events. Korte said the proposed bond funding will specifically be used to design improvements to the community center building, including the replacement of the multipurpose room and adjacent bathrooms, which were part of the original firehouse building at the site.
The county has already collected $5,358,000 of the project cost.
The package also includes $250,000 for renovations at Vista Grande Community Center in Sandia Park. That ongoing project has an estimated cost of $11.5 million, with $500,000 already earmarked for it. The bond money will help with design, construction, furnishing and equipping the community center building and Little League field.
The parks and recreation bond question is one of six on the general election ballot, which in total would authorize about $40.5 million in spending.
The other bond questions are for public safety facilities, fleet, and county buildings, transportation, storm drainage and utilities, libraries and public housing.
Expanded early voting begins Saturday at Tijeras City Hall, 12 Camino Municipal, and at dozens of other locations across the county. Information about polling places, sample ballots and voter programs can be found here.