Clovis racetrack interests still upbeat

CLOVIS — After last month’s deflating development in the drawn-out racino award selection process, proponents for a horse racetrack and gaming project in Clovis said they were feeling optimistic again after speaking with the new makeup of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

“We’re tickled pink. We’re glad, we’re happy, we’re still involved,” said Tom Martin, a spokesperson for the Vision 2020 group advocating Clovis’ racino candidacy since last year. “Obviously, we were disappointed that the last commission did not reach a decision, but we’re excited about the new commission.”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham fired the old commission and appointed five new commissioners April 24. A session May 16 in Albuquerque was the first regular meeting of the new commission. NMRC didn’t give any signals about how it leaned regarding a sixth license during that meeting, but a key member of the group proposing the project for Tucumcari said the lack of direction Thursday provided no reason for any of the applicants to be discouraged.

“I think we’ll know more later,” Warren Frost told a reporter. “I think it’s a matter of letting them get their feet wet and going from there. They seem to be very enthusiastic about being on the commission, and they’re willing to put forth as much work as they need to get it right.”

Frost said he soon would urge the commission to visit the towns where parties have applied for a sixth license, which also include Clovis and Lordsburg.

Martin told The News on Saturday that he wasn’t thrilled at the idea of doing site visits again -- entailing three applicant presentations in Clovis and one each in Tucumcari and Lordsburg — but acknowledged it would be “prudent” for the new commissioners to do as much.

While Martin said he would be “hard-pressed” to single out which of the three proposals for Clovis was the best option, he explained they each have different strengths and maintained his position that Clovis was the best site among the contenders.

“I will admit that we were a little in limbo and didn't really know what was going on, and maybe the momentum dropped slightly, but now that we've got this new commission we're fired up,” Martin said. “They seemed to be receptive when we went up there and spoke with them, although it was unofficial.... I think they'll come back with a good decision.”

The Quay County Sun contributed to this report.