Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Here is an artist's rendition of the new facility.
Better horse hospitality is on its way to the Curry County Fairgrounds.
County officials will break ground for a multi-purpose livestock pavilion at 10:30 a.m. today, with the public invited to festivities.
The 57,216 square-foot facility, planned to accommodate 250 portable animal stalls, is set for completion in summer 2024, prior to the next Curry County Fair.
Construction cost is $14.09 million, county officials said. Funding comes from the Regional Recreation Centers Quality of Life grant through the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, the state Legislature, American Rescue Plan Act and county funds, according to a county news release.
"We are beyond excited to break ground and see what events and economic development opportunities the pavilion will bring to Curry County. In addition, it's great to see almost 100% of our local businesses being utilized in constructing the pavilion," County Manager Lance Pyle stated in the news release.
Curry County commissioners in February approved initial funding for the new pavilion.
"It will enhance the fairgrounds and allow us to recruit and host larger events to Curry County," Pyle said at the time.
Part of the project is the demolition of the existing animal barns at the fairgrounds. Pyle said those barns are more than 50 years old.
The new pavilion will be "great" for Clovis, said Economic Development Executive Director Tina Dziuk. "A lot of bigger equine events require more up to date facilities."
Dziuk credited Events Center General Manager KC Messick with labeling the new facility "horse hospitality."
Dziuk said Clovis wants to be able to draw bigger events and the center will have more stalls and wash stalls.
"We're going to be able to compete for the events that we haven't been able to have in the past," Dziuk said.
