Silver City -- The doors of the new, Henry V. "La Burra" Morales Recreation Center are expected to open in mid-July, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner, town councilors, key staff members and other state and local officials, tentatively scheduled for July 17.
"I'm so thrilled that at last we'll be opening the doors of our new recreation center, which began as an idea 10 years ago when I was first campaigning for mayor," said Mayor Ladner. "This is a tremendous asset to our community, and another gem in the heart of a solid recreation complex near our schools, which includes the municipal pool, tennis courts and the track. I'm deeply grateful to Lt. Governor Morales, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, steering committee members, Council of Governments Director Pricilla Lucero, our state lawmakers, and everyone who has provided input and guidance. I especially want to recognize Town Manager Alex Brown for guiding this project every step of the way."
The 27,426-square-foot center features three, maple-floored basketball and volleyball courts, and nine pickleball courts, all nested within the same footprint, and ringed by a three-lane walking track. A 1,422-square-foot, multi-generation lounge, features billiards and air hockey, a gaming area, an Ideum interactive gaming and learning table, and ample 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, and a small, outdoor, all-abilities playground for children is nearing completion. Admission to the center is free, though rooms will be available to rent for a small fee.
The new facility also houses a small concession stand, as well as the town's newly reorganized Parks and Recreation Department, headed by Julian Madrid, a Silver City native and the son of Mike Madrid, who served as the town's previous recreation center coordinator.
Madrid has proposed that the rec center be open during the summer months from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. However, at the June 24 town council meeting, he said he would like to gather more public input before the hours of operation are finalized, and winter hours are yet to be determined.
For more information about the recreation center, please contact Julian Madrid, Parks and Recreation Department manager, at
