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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Governor Shifts Plans for Equestrian Center to Expo

By Charles D. Brunt
Journal Staff Writer
       Gov. Bill Richardson has abandoned plans to build a $25 million state-of-the-art equestrian center at Mesa del Sol in Albuquerque and instead wants to put it at Expo New Mexico, home of the State Fair.
    "Gov. Richardson decided to locate the new equestrian center at Expo New Mexico as part of a larger effort to redevelop the property following the loss of the Downs at Albuquerque," Richardson spokesman Gilbert Gallegos confirmed Monday.
    "While Mesa del Sol is an attractive location, the governor's immediate focus is on transforming Expo so it will thrive as a cultural and entertainment destination for all New Mexicans," Gallegos said. "A state-of-the-art equestrian center will be part of the new Expo New Mexico's future."
    The state's latest plans for the equestrian center called for a 112,000-square-foot, 6,000-seat indoor arena, a rodeo arena, five practice arenas, 40 stall barns, recreational vehicle parking, a main parking lot and two overflow parking lots.
    The equestrian center has been touted as the centerpiece of Richardson's efforts to boost participation in rodeo, horse shows and equine events in New Mexico.
    The announcement comes as Richardson's office, the state Department of Finance and Administration and Expo New Mexico are reviewing 19 "requests for information" submitted — at the governor's request — by groups and individuals hoping to get projects considered in redevelopment of the 70-year-old fairgrounds and Tingley Coliseum in the middle of Albuquerque.
    Richardson's renewed interest in redeveloping the fairgrounds was announced May 29 after the state Racing Commission approved a request by the Downs at Albuquerque to move its racetrack and casino from Expo New Mexico to a $65 million site in Moriarty.
    Moving the racino will strip about $2 million a year from Expo's $16 million budget. Expo New Mexico — a state enterprise that must pay its own way — typically ekes out about $1 million in annual profits.
    One of the Downs owners is Richardson political ally Paul Blanchard, who fought to move the track after his bid to expand and upgrade the casino at Expo New Mexico was turned down.
    The Downs lease covers about 97 acres of the fairgrounds' 236-acre site.
    Acting on a recommendation by the New Mexico Rodeo Council, Richardson announced in December 2006 that the state would build a $25 million to $30 million equestrian center within the 600-acre Bernalillo County Regional Recreation Complex at Mesa del Sol.
    Both the Racing Commission and Rodeo Council are appointed by the governor.
    Mesa del Sol is a 12,900-acre mixed-use, public-private development south of Albuquerque International Sunport and west of Kirtland Air Force Base that could one day accommodate 37,000 homes.
    Plans for a Mesa del Sol equestrian center were still in the works last winter.
    In February, Bernalillo County Manager Thaddeus Lucero said county staff had been busy revising the recreation complex's master plan — a revision necessitated by the addition of the equestrian center.
    At the time, Lucero said he expected to present the revised plan to the city Environmental Planning Commission for consideration in "a couple of months." The city has jurisdiction over how the land at Mesa del Sol is used.
    But county spokeswoman Liz Hamm said Monday the revised plan never made it that far.
    "We have not done anything with that project" since February, Hamm said.
    Valerie Cole with the New Mexico Horse Council — a nonprofit organization that promotes the horse industry — was among those who submitted ideas to the state for Expo's redevelopment.
    She was elated over the suggestion that Expo would get the equestrian center.
    "We think it's great," Cole said Monday evening. "We believe the facilities are underutilized, and we would love to creatively use them more."
    At the governor's urging, the Legislature appropriated about $12 million for the equestrian center in 2005 and $3 million for related initiatives. Richardson requested another $2 million for the equestrian center in this year's capital outlay legislation.