Commissioners impressed by Events Center progress

Bulldozers and earth-moving machines worked around Curry County Commissioners Tuesday as they stood in the arena floor of the Special Events Center.

The County Commissioners met for a work study session to observe the progress of the $7 million, 96,100 square-foot 6,600-seat facility.

“Most communities the size of ours have had something like this,” according to County Commission Chairman Albin Smith. “I’m extremely impressed. We get the idea of the size of it.”

The south and north arena walls have been erected and the road department is working on placing dirt for the footings of the bleachers, according to Interim County Manager Lance Pyle.

“It’s a cost-savings for the county if we can do (earth-work) in-house,” he said.

Pyle said the metal structures for the actual building would arrive Monday. He said another work session at the Events Center site is scheduled for December.

Commissioner Pete Hulder said he has a clearer picture of the center following the work session. He said he has driven past the site, but had never seen it up close.

“It’s kind of imposing,” he said. “I can’t get over how large it is. You can look at drawings all day, but all those things start falling into place when you see it.”

Hulder said looking at the progress of the center gives him hope it would be completed in August. Bad weather in September delayed the project’s July deadline, according to DavTek Vice President Randy Kamradt. The county contracted DavTek to oversee the construction of the site.

Hulder said had the Center received more funding, he would like to see entrances on all sides of the facility.

Pyle said the main entrance to the facility is on Brady Street. He said an entrance from the Curry County Fairgrounds is possible, depending on how the county will tie the Events Center to the Fairgrounds.

The Commission voted last week to send a second request for proposal for the management of the Events Center. The county sent a request for proposal for management of the Events Center and the County Fairgrounds and received a response from one entity, Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum.

Commissioner Robert Sandoval questioned whether the county could afford hiring the facility management company to manage both facilities.

The county voted 3-2 against applying for a liquor license for the center, which former County Manager Dick Smith said would bring more sponsors and events to the county and would help with operational costs.