Logan begins rec complex project

LOGAN - Nearly two years after receiving a multimillion-dollar state grant for the project, Logan village officials and contractors broke ground Friday for a recreational complex not far from the shores of Ute Lake.

In as little as 18 months, the village could have a new softball or Little League field, a multiuse sports field, a large building that contains concessions and a pavilion, courts for pickleball and other amenities.

With large earthmoving equipment serving as a backdrop, about 50 people attended the ceremonial groundbreaking on a 16-acre vacant lot the village acquired years ago. Village officials and stakeholders planted shovels into the earth to signal the start of the project.

The forthcoming recreation complex sits south of the intersection of Highway 540 Loop and Piper Avenue, about a mile east of the baseball and softball diamonds used by Logan High School at the entrance to Ute Lake State Park.

With the help of the Eastern Plains Council of Governments, the village in January 2023 received a $4.9 million state recreation grant for the project.

Village Administrator Rodney Paris said a few minor changes were made to the recreation complex plan after the grant's announcement.

"Anytime there's government funds, there's a process to get through to get to the point where we're at," he said. "We've had to put the project into several phases. And today, we're breaking breaking ground in that Phase One."

He said the first phase would include the main building, a playground, multipurpose field and other key components, plus all the infrastructure needed for the entire project.

Paris said the village will request another $2.5 million in state funding for the complex, mainly due to the rise in construction costs from the time the first grant was announced.

An artist's drawing of the project displayed during the ceremony showed:

- A roundabout near the complex's entrance;

- A concession building that includes storage space, restrooms and a pavilion;

- A multipurpose sports field with two diamonds that also can be used for football and soccer;

- Six courts for basketball, pickleball or volleyball;

- A softball or Little League field;

- A playground;

- A BMX track;

- A grill patio;

- Food truck stations;

- An archery range;

- An 118-space parking lot with an overflow gravel lot.

Jon Pena, operations manager for designer WH Pacific of Albuquerque, estimated the project would require 18 months to two years of construction.

Accent Landscaping of Albuquerque is the general contractor.

In remarks before the groundbreaking, Paris noted the project required years of planning, including the village acquiring the land for the site in 2014.

Even with a new softball field, Paris said it was unlikely Logan would abandon its current softball field at the entrance of Ute Lake State Park. He said the extra diamond would come in handy during tournaments.

Long term, Paris said he wants the complex also to eventually include a walking and exercise trail.