left to right: Lisa Barber, administrative assistant; Julian Madrid, director; Gabriel Carrasco, athletic coordinator; and Daquiri Torres, special events/programming coordinator. Photo by Lisa JimenezBy Lisa Jimenez
Silver City -- It's been just over four months since the new recreation center opened, and the Henry "La Burra" Morales Recreation Center is teaming with activity, especially in the afternoons when school gets out and youth fill the center's basketball and volleyball courts and the gaming lounge, said Julian Madrid, parks and recreation director for the Town of Silver City. Most mornings, retirees can be found playing pickle ball or walking the indoor track.
"It's great to see that the community is really utilizing this facility," said Madrid. "By three o'clock we're jammin' with high school and La Plata kids coming in regularly, so much so that we're getting to know them individually. "I'm glad they're here versus out on the streets; they're very respectful and come in to play sports, work on homework and hang out in the gaming area. We're also seeing more families on the weekends, and moms with their young children earlier in the day. People are starting to visit more regularly, and that's really rewarding."
left to right: Julian Madrid, director; Lisa Barber, administrative assistant; Gabriel Carrasco, athletic coordinator; and Daquiri Torres, special events/programming coordinator. Photo by Lisa JimenMore than 4,000 people are now registered to use the facility, counting families, Madrid added, and daily average usage is trending around 100 persons, he told councilors at last week's town council meeting. Patrons are required to register for their free membership, which can be done easily online or in-person. The new online registration system, "Civic Rec," is a one-stop shop for all recreation needs, including memberships as well as registration for classes and programs, room rentals, tent rentals, special events/flea markets, and for reservations and permitting for Gough, Penny and Scott parks.
Some 150 youth participated in the Grant County Youth Volleyball League practices and games at the new center, and the New Mexico Junior Wresting State Qualifying Tournament was held recently with more than 500 participants, Madrid said. Snell Middle School is holding their basketball tournament at the facility beginning January 24th, a cornhole tourney happens January 25th, then the Grant County Youth Basketball League will be practicing and competing starting January 26th, which is expected to draw more than 500 participants, he added. A pickleball tournament is slated for February in partnership with the Silver High School Tennis Team, and plans for a fall flag football league are in the works, Madrid said.
Community programs open to everyone include: pickleball; volleyball; basketball; walking and running on the three-lane track; as well as friendly cornhole games; adult and youth Jiu-Jitsu classes (fee-based); board games, online gaming and more.
Hours of operation change on Jan 26th to better accommodate local needs, Madrid told councilors, now that he's had some months to observe and document actual visits to the center. New hours are:
Monday - Friday, 9 am-9 pm; Saturdays, 8 am-8 pm; and Sundays, 11 am-8 pm.
With so much activity, numerous community offerings and the detailed work of bringing the registration/reservation and rental software online and getting the 27,426-square-foot facility up and running, Madrid said he's relieved to be fully staffed. Gabriel Carrasco is the athletic coordinator, who's in charge of all sports, as well as the gymnasium and scheduling it. Daquiri Torres is the special events/programming coordinator, and is responsible for organizing classes and all scheduling and rentals of the multi-purpose room and classrooms, which are available to rent at $25/hour. She is also the contact person for special event permits, related street closures and tent rentals for Gough, Penny and Scott parks.
Currently the adult and youth Jiu-Jitsu class is the only fee-based class being offered, though a guitar class is being organized. Madrid encouraged community members to submit class proposals. "We're open to any proposals, and welcome people to share their talents and skills," he said. The department works with class instructors on a contract basis.
Lisa Barber is the administrative assistant, and is in charge of all social media, record keeping and customer service to ensure efficient daily operations. Rec center information can be found on Facebook, and a monthly newsletter is in the works, along with a local recreation activity guide.
"My staff has done a great job," Madrid said. "I told them, let's get this thing going and creating services for the community. We're a real team and all of us are dedicated to serving the community's recreation needs."
The recreation center, at 900 East 32nd Street, features three, maple-floored basketball and volleyball courts, and nine pickleball courts, which are ringed by a three-lane walking/running track - 11 laps equal one mile. A multi-generation lounge features billiards, ping pong and air hockey, and seating areas with plug-ins for electronic devices.
A separate fitness room also features maple flooring and mirrored walls for dance or other classes, and two multi-purpose rooms with lots of natural light and kitchenettes can be expanded into one large room to rent for parties and other special events, workshops, conferences or classrooms. A small, outdoor, all-abilities playground for children is located on the west side of the entrance.
For more information, please contact Julian Madrid at
