Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The City of Tucumcari's municipal pool, shown Saturday, has been closed since 2019 because of the pandemic and later due to a severe leak under the facility.
The City of Tucumcari received a $216,803 state grant to repair its municipal pool, which has been closed since 2019.
The grant was one of 36 Regional Recreational Centers/Quality of Life Grants totaling $45 million awarded across New Mexico and announced by the governor's office on Friday.
The Village of San Jon received $300,000 for a park improvement project.
The Village of Logan also received more than $4.9 million to build two softball or Little League ballparks, a BMX track and other amenities near the entrance of Ute Lake State Park. (See other story about the Logan grant in this edition.)
When informed about the grant award on Monday morning, Tucumcari city manager Paula Chacon reacted enthusiastically.
"That's great news," she said. "Oh, thank God. You made my day."
Chacon said the city applied for the grant in August with the help of Stantec Engineering, former city manager Mark Martinez and the community development department.
Chacon said now that the money will be available, she would move to have the pool repaired so it can reopen by summer.
Tucumcari's swimming pool at South Fifth Street and West Hines Avenue has been closed for more than three years - first because of the COVID-19 pandemic and later because a severe leak under the facility.
According to Quay County Sun archives, Tucumcari City Pool was built in 1976 after the Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool at Five Mile Park closed.
The previous facility, once the largest in the Southwest, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940.
Cynthia Lee, San Jon's clerk, said it would use its grant to make upgrades to the village park's playground equipment, picnic table awnings and tennis and basketball courts.
Lee said the village also wants to add a family shelter and possibly a pickleball court.
According to a news release from the governor, the program awards funds to improve the quality of life for residents by creating new or expanding existing regional recreational facilities.
Project applications were evaluated by their benefit to the community, either by attracting and retaining residents or attracting visitors.
Award funds are eligible to be used for project planning and design, purchase of recreational equipment and project construction. Examples of eligible projects included community centers, skateparks, splash pads, rodeo grounds, outdoor theaters, picnic shelters, or other structures that enhance public-based recreational activities.
Project funds will be delivered by reimbursement over two years.
Other grant awardees in neighboring counties:
- Town of Clayton, $964,040 for its event center;
- Curry County, $6.5 million for Curry County Event Center multipurpose livestock pavilion;
- De Baca County, $290,261 for De Baca County Fairgrounds electrical and water system upgrades;
- Village of Fort Sumner, $164,732 for Dallas Park improvements;
- City of Las Vegas, $320,000 for Old City Hall Museum;
- City of Las Vegas, $91,000 for Padilla Sports Complex;
- Village of Mosquero, $308,000 for Chris B. Cordova Memorial Veterans Park;
- City of Portales, $728,385 for Portales Skatepark Phase 1 design and construction;
- City of Portales, $143,490 for Rotary Park playground equipment project;
- Village of Wagon Mound, $181,485 for rodeo grounds improvements.
