Sports and Multiuse Venue Development

Expanding Indoor Sports Tournament and Entertainment Capacity

During the Destination Master Planning process and discussions with the Steering Committee, the idea of a multiuse venue in Albuquerque was proposed for maximizing space utilization, revenue, growth and overall economic impact. This potential venue would not only be highly competitive for sporting events but also attract entertainment and other social events, resulting in both fiscal performance and vibrancy. JLL advocates for a multiuse flexible facility over a traditional sports-only or entertainment-only models due to the venue’s ability to create a unique environment year-round. It is recommended to engage in conversations with sports organizers, corporate meeting planners and entertainment promoters to understand their specific facility requirements.

It is worth noting that throughout the engagement process, several viable areas for the potential development of a multiuse complex were surfaced that need further vetting and analysis. Downtown Albuquerque was mentioned repeatedly in the master planning process as the location having the highest potential for the development of a complex and adding demand generation to the area. Additionally, the University of New Mexico owns vacant land in advantageous locations, in close proximity to the university, UNM Hospital and existing sports complexes. One intersection that stands out is at South Campus, separate from the main campus, located near University Boulevard and Avenida Caesar Chavez. This intersection boasts some of the largest sports complexes in New Mexico, catering to football, basketball and baseball. However, crucial amenities such as restaurants and hotels are notably absent. Additional investment in these types of amenities within close proximity will be important for both event and sports organizers. To overcome these challenges, data sharing between tourism and developers is vital to align interests and drive development effectively.

Visit Albuquerque has the opportunity to support the Multiuse Complex study and advocate for necessary upgrades to existing complexes. Additionally, a plan should be developed to identify potential opportunities and attract investment for new facility development. Both public and private investments can be attracted to sports complexes, as they can generate profits through a mix of local and out-of-town usage. The menu of potential funding options specific to Albuquerque are further explored in the Funding Section of the plan.

Conduct a Feasibility, Market Demand and Site Selection Study for Development of a Multiuse Complex

Strategy 1: Engage consultants to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study, market demand analysis and site selection process for a potential multiuse complex, ensuring optimal location and market viability.
Visit Albuquerque's Role		Partners	Progress Made
		Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department
Strategy 2: Conduct extensive interviews with sports organizers, corporate meeting planners and entertainment promoters to gather detailed facility requirements.
		Sports Partners  Events Partners  Entertainment Partners
Strategy 3: Engage with local community groups to ensure the proposed facility aligns with neighborhood needs and addresses potential concerns.
		City of Albuquerque
Strategy 4: Explore potential public-private partnership models for funding and operating the multiuse complex.
		Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department
Strategy 5: Develop a comprehensive transportation and infrastructure plan to support the proposed facility.
Strategy 6: Create and publish a Request for Information (RFI) for potential venue.
		City of Albuquerque

Milestones

•  Validate participation and invite sports leaders, entertainment promoters and corporate planners to engage in the study with focus on a multiuse venue development. Develop a regular meeting approach.
• Identify viable funding options for the multiuse venue, including exploring Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for development, management and operation, as well as considering local options sales tax and district funding.
• Develop an approach with key partners to create a Request for Information (RFI) highlighting specific site opportunities to attract potential investors for multiuse complex development supporting anticipated tournaments.
• Conduct further studies and analysis to finalize the structure and define the relationship between Visit Albuquerque and the proposed multiuse venue.
• Develop a comprehensive pro forma and perform a high-level cost estimation to determine the optimal business model, staffing requirements, marketing, sales and projected operational performance.
• Collaborate with architects to create conceptual renderings, validate the venue design and ensure it meets the needs of all user groups.
• Explore and implement agreements advantageous to Visit Albuquerque’s role in attracting tournaments for the complexes, including exploring partnerships and collaborations with sports organizations and venues.

Key Partners

• City of Albuquerque
• Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA)

Additional Sports Venue Development Considerations

Albuquerque has experienced overall success in the sports market, attracting various tournaments and events. However, there is untapped potential to further enhance sports tourism in the city. This can be achieved by upgrading the current facilities and developing new facilities that cater to the diverse needs of hosting a wider range of tournaments.

The City has been actively expanding its sports infrastructure, with a focus on diverse facilities.  Recent developments include the construction of a cricket field and significant additions to pickleball courts. In May, the City completed 15 new pickleball courts, bringing the total number to 33. Plans are in place to further expand this popular amenity, with six additional courts slated for construction. Once completed, this expansion will increase the total number of pickleball courts to 39, reflecting the City's commitment to meeting the growing demand for recreational facilities. Additionally, there is no permanent home for indoor track in Albuquerque, and the Convention Center serves as a temporary indoor track facility utilizing the exhibit hall space, for the University of New Mexico indoor track meets and additional track meets. Creating a multiuse facility could help address this issue and provide a dedicated space for indoor track and field events.

Below is a list of publicly funded sports facilities and venues in Albuquerque:

1. Balloon Fiesta Park (hosting various outdoor sports events, new cricket pitches and the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta)
2. Isotopes Park (home of the Albuquerque Isotopes minor league baseball team and the NM United currently)
3. Albuquerque Convention Center (versatile space for indoor events, ranging from volleyball and weightlifting to indoor track and field)
4. University Arena (The Pit, home to the University of New Mexico basketball teams)
5. Tingley Coliseum (part of the EXPO New Mexico complex, used for various sports events)
6. Rio Rancho Events Center (located in nearby Rio Rancho, hosting various sports events and concerts)
7. University Stadium (outdoor football stadium that is the home field of the UNM Lobos)
8. West Mesa Aquatic Center (Olympic-sized swimming pool and separate recreation pool)
9. Duke City BMX (the largest covered BMX facility in the country)
10. Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Regional Sports Complex (featuring five collegiate-level baseball fields and team facilities)
11. New Mexico Soccer Tournament Complex (22 grass fields located in nearby Bernalillo)
12. Mesa del Sol Sports Complex (6 grass fields and 4 turf fields)
13. Manzano Mesa Pickleball Facility (33 lighted courts)
14. Lobo Field (baseball stadium on the University of New Mexico campus)
15. Jerry Cline Tennis Facility (18 courts)
16. Los Altos Softball facility (5 grass fields)

An integral part of the Albuquerque Destination Master Plan is to advocate and support plans for future venue development. The plan recognizes the importance of ongoing projects that require advocacy, input and support from local stakeholders, including Visit Albuquerque. Additionally, the plan emphasizes the importance of elevating Visit Albuquerque's profile to enhance the city's visibility and appeal. This strategy involves leveraging the expertise and influence of local sports leaders to actively advocate for future development initiatives. By doing so, Albuquerque aims to increase its potential to secure major events, ultimately raising the city's profile as a premier destination for sports and entertainment.

Five sports venue development projects are in various stages of development or expansion, and these facilities may have the potential to increase the region’s competitiveness and bring more tournaments to Albuquerque. These projects could require additional advocacy, input, and support to ensure the community’s diverse needs are met.

North Domingo Baca Aquatics Center: The North Domingo Baca Aquatics Center is currently under development in North Domingo Baca Park, Albuquerque. This project aims to enhance the aquatic facilities in the area, featuring both indoor and outdoor pools. The center is designed to provide year-round swimming opportunities for the community, catering to various aquatic activities and programs. Work has begun on the next phase of the Aquatic Center to build essential infrastructure including the pump room, access road and utilities. This phase is expected to be completed in September 2025. The full project will feature Olympic-sized and recreational pools. Simultaneously, all six tennis courts at the park are being resurfaced for the first time since their construction in 2014. These improvements demonstrate ongoing development of recreational facilities in the area.

Mesa Del Sol Regional Outdoor Sports Complex expansion: The Mesa Del Sol Regional Outdoor Sports Complex is undergoing an expansion that will increase the facility's capacity, allowing for larger tournaments and the ability to host more tournaments simultaneously. The development addresses a growing demand for outdoor sports facilities in the area. The expansion aims to accommodate more sports activities, enhancing the complex's capabilities to host various sporting events. Notably, with the recent addition of four turf fields, New Mexico Youth Soccer has been able to add three elite travel leagues to their 2024-2025 schedule, demonstrating the immediate impact of these improvements on local sports programming.

NM United Stadium: The New Mexico United Soccer Stadium project, currently being considered near Balloon Fiesta Park, has made significant progress, recently gaining approval from the Environmental Planning Commission. This project proposes the construction of a soccer-specific stadium with a seating capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 spectators. This represents a substantial investment in the city, signaling a commitment to the sport's growth and potential economic benefits. This development would provide a dedicated home for the New Mexico United soccer team. The location near Balloon Fiesta Park suggests potential synergies with other major events in the area. As this project moves forward, it not only promises to elevate the soccer and multiuse entertainment experience, but also stands as a symbol of Albuquerque's growth, ambition and dedication to creating spaces that bring people together.

Westside Indoor Sports Facility: The Westside Indoor Sports Facility project is gaining momentum in Albuquerque. This potential development addresses the need for year-round sports venues on the city’s Westside. While specific details about the facility's features have not been finalized, indoor sports complexes typically offer space for multiple sports and activities protected from weather conditions. The project's progress indicates the city's commitment to expanding its sports infrastructure to serve the community better.

ABQ Basketball Club: The potential development of the ABQ Basketball Club project involves the creative repurposing of a former Albuquerque movie theater into a basketball facility. This adaptive reuse project demonstrates innovative approaches to urban development and sports infrastructure. The conversion of a cinema into a basketball venue likely includes significant interior renovations to accommodate courts, training areas and other basketball-related amenities. This project is currently under consideration by relevant stakeholders within the city.

Additionally, it will be important to consider conducting a full assessment and analysis of sports tourism to determine the correct next steps in investment. This comprehensive approach would provide valuable insights into the potential economic impact and guide strategic decisions for future facility developments.