Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Clovis only needs one special events center

A recent Project: Reader Reaction question asked about the city’s proposed civic center. Some responses:

“AFTER ALL THIS TIME, all I want to see is the finished product and be able to attend an event held in it. Surely before the contract (will be) let there (will be) specs and a time frame to be met. Do we need to hire another consultant?”

— Mac McDonald, Clovis

“I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY the city and county do not get together and build one nice center that can be used by all. This union works well in other cities. Clovis is trying to move forward and it appears that council members are holding it back. Wake up Clovis!”

— John Frey, Clovis

“THE LONGER AN ISSUE is discussed, and no movement is forward, the more expensive the project becomes. By the time all the required processes are accompolised a lot of time has passed, and with today’s economy bouncing up and down, good solid decisions have to be made quicker. If the center is going to be smaller than planned, why build it?”

— H. M. Richards, Clovis

“I AM TOTALLY IN favor of city growth, expansion, refinement, and improvement. However, I simply cannot get enthused over the convention center as proposed. I do not feel that it ever will be cost effective, or produce the desired results. I hope that I am wrong.”

— Harold Burris, Clovis

“I DON’T THINK WE even need a civic center. It’s my understanding that it was put to popular vote some time ago and was voted down, but those wise city commissioners feel they know what’s best for us and have gone ahead with it anyway. I feel there is no way it would pay for itself and would be a further drain on our city expenses. The city and county officials should get together and build one all-purpose event center and share the expenses.”

— Bill Lee, Clovis

“I BELIEVE WE NEED to just give up on building a civic center and just spend the money on putting a roof over the county arena and maybe enlarging the grandstands. If the building is only going to be able to hold 700 to 800 people and not even support a high school graduation, than what kind of money-making shows will they be able to have there?”

— Steve Gershon, Clovis

“AS LONG AS WE still get our (county) events center, 30K square feet is large enough for a civic center. Clovis is still a few years away from being able to attract occupants enough to warrant a larger size. I’d like to see them both built before the city invents another tax increase to pay for some unforseen related expenses.”

— Richard Lopes, Clovis

“THE RECREATION CENTER IS getting to be more and more of a problem. I believe the plans and building should be put off until more stable plans can be made. It seems to me like it is getting worse and worse every month. What is the hurry in building the civic center? Take more time and get it right.”

— Ardyth Elms, Clovis

“I GUESS THE OLD saying ‘If you snooze, you lose’ can apply to this. The time spent arguing/discussing etc. has cost the city money. Now it is going to be smaller, somewhat, and cost more. And it won’t even hold the graduation crowd from the high school. Maybe it is not expected to hold big conventions or meetings, so size is not important. I still feel the most important thing to worry about is the loss of qualified police in the city. Why not get the police a pay raise? Just think: Conventions, with little security on hand. Would you come to Clovis?”

— Dan Toledo, Clovis

“IF THE MAJORITY WANT this, then the goal of keeping in budget is important and the modifications in the plans are justified. Building this center without increasing the fiscal burden on the residents is only way I would stand in favor of this project.

“Personally, I still feel that this small community will have a tough time supporting two centers (city and county) and any duplication is just asking for trouble. I have been and still am in favor of the city and county pooling their money and resources toward a joint venture.”

— Bob Baker, Clovis

“THE CIVIC CENTER IS beginning to sound more like the civic meeting room. We do not need a meeting room, we need an event center. I would prefer to have a functional area big enough to hold large events to one that is pleasing to the eye and the ego.”

— Jim Sitterly, Clovis