Sunday, April 26, 2015

Remote control track and airfield, archery range to open soon in Las Cruces

Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Director Mark Johnston supervises construction of one of two new runways for remote-controlled aircraft on Thursday. Located near the Foothills Landfill, the two runways, one running east-west, the other north-south, are expected to be at least 600 feet long.




LAS CRUCES >> "Zoom" and "zip" are the verbs that best describe new recreational amenities the city of Las Cruces is building.

The city is spending $150,000 in park impact fees to build a remote control off-road race track, a remote control airfield and an archery range. It is anticipated the remote control race track could open in a few weeks. It will be adjacent to the city's skate park and bicycle motocross track, off of Walnut Street, near Hadley Avenue.

The initial reviews among those that are likely to use it have been favorable.

"It looks like it's going to be pretty nice," said Las Crucen Roberta Avery, 16, who has been racing remote control vehicles anywhere she can find a wide asphalt space. "My friends and I have been racing our cars and trucks in the parking lots at Maag (Park) and across the street (at the city warehouse on Hadley Avenue when there hasn't been a lot of cars and trucks parked there.) This new place isn't far away from there, and I like the way they've laid it out. It'll be nice to have our own dedicated place to race."

City Parks and Recreation Director Mark Johnston said the remote control track will cost $25,000 to build.

 "It's about 80 percent complete now," Johnston said. "It's probably a couple of weeks away from opening. We're going to move bleachers there, and there will be a charging station there so people can charge their remote control vehicles. It will be an off-road track, and we believe it's going to be a nice one."

Johnson added there probably won't be formal ceremonies for the track's opening. Also, from time to time, a city-owned truck will be at the track to allow residents to borrow remote control vehicles to use at the facility.

Jon Newton, a remote control enthusiast, said the track will be a needed, and welcomed, facility.

"Remote control racing is pretty big, very popular, in some areas of the country," Newton said. "It can become expensive, with some people investing thousands of dollars into it."

At the Foothills Landfill, construction is underway on a $75,000 remote control airfield, where people will be able to fly small remote control airplanes, helicopters and similar aircraft. Johnston said two 800-foot runways, one going north to south and the other east to west, will be built.

"They will be paved, with millings from city streets that have been resurfaced," Johnston said. "There will be a solar charging station there so users can power their planes and aircraft, and there will be parking that will comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act."

Also at the old landfill, the city has plans to build a $50,000 archery range.

"It will be built at a lower elevation than the remote control airfield and will be far enough away that the activities there won't interfere with each other," Johnston said. "Those facilities are being built with the intent that safety for everyone is paramount."

City Manager Robert Garza said park impact fees are paid to the city by developers, but those fees are ultimately passed on to residents. The city park impact fee is currently $800 for a single family residence.

"Depending on the volume of construction in any year, the revenues can vary," Garza said. "In 2014 there were about 300 new homes (built), which equates to a revenue for that year of $240,000. The park impact fees are intended to be used exclusively for expansion of services to correlate to the growing city and residents' needs brought about by the growth."

With growing interest among city residents in recent years seeking quality-of-life improvements, Garza said city government is trying to be responsive to residents who want newer, different programs aimed at improving quality of life.

"For example, the only 'shooting range' provided by the city is on the far west mesa, near the Corralitos Ranch," Garza said. "It was established there for several reasons including availability of land and safe separation from residents and businesses. Archery can be provided closer to the city since the projectiles are more manageable, predictable, and can be more easily contained.

"...We are aware that city residents desire more recreational amenities and we are committed to working on multiple fronts to expand our services in a way to engage our youth as well as everyone else who enjoys spending time outdoors in our public spaces. These projects are a great example of how our Parks and Recreation staff and their advisory board listen to public input and make efforts to meet their needs."

Original article can be found here:  http://www.lcsun-news.com


City of Las Cruces heavy equipment operator Hector Rodriguez works on welding metal pieces that will be used during the installation of the new remote control track.

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