Bernalillo County has received a $2 million grant from the state's 2023 Regional Recreation Centers/Quality of Life Grant. The county plans to use this funding to complete the construction of the Mesa Del Sol Sports Complex in southeast Albuquerque.
The grant will be directed towards improvements such as parking, drainage, landscaping, lighting, and irrigation. Once completed, the facility will feature 32 fields and a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, some with synthetic surfaces. The complex will also provide tournament amenities like clubhouses and concession stands. Initiated in January 2023, the Mesa Del Sol Regional Outdoor Sports Complex is scheduled to open in early spring 2024, with a "first-kick" ceremony to be announced later, according to a press release by Bernalillo County.
"These renovations and improvements are going to give the county unlimited possibilities for local, state, and regional sports tournaments, and makes the county a major player for youth sports," says District 2 Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada in a statement released by Bernalillo County.
The New Mexico (NM) Department of Finance & Administration is offering the NM Regional Recreation Centers and Quality of Life grant. This initiative provides $40 million for communities statewide to plan, design, furnish, equip, and construct recreational projects. The aim is to enhance the quality of life for New Mexico residents by supporting the creation or expansion of regional recreational facilities. Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, tribal governments, and special districts. Projects can range from community centers to skateparks or picnic shelters that enrich public-based recreational activities according to information on the NM Regional Recreation Centers/Quality of Life Grant webpage provided by the NM Department of Finance & Administration.
The NM Department of Finance & Administration aims to ensure fiscal accountability and effective government for all New Mexicans. It offers fiscal advice, budget direction, and oversight to state agencies and local governments in order to support responsive governance as stated on the NM Department of Finance & Administration website.