Los Alamos County Council on Oct. 7 postponed approval of a nearly $2.71 million Brewer Arena improvement package after public comment from stable owners and equestrian users raised safety and process concerns.

County staff had requested approval of task order #29 and related construction funds for bleacher replacement, ADA parking and a concrete accessible route from overflow parking, renovated restrooms and a future announcer/catwalk structure. The staff recommendation included a $1,934,399.74 task order and a $2,710,000 project budget.

“During that process, … the bleacher structure was shut down,” Community Services staff explained, summarizing an engineer’s finding that forced demolition of existing bleachers earlier in 2024 and prompted the replacement plan. Staff described pressing safety needs and the long lead times for bleacher and catwalk materials.

Several stable owners and equestrian advocates urged council not to approve the project as presented and asked for more time and coordination. “Concrete is just not the material,” said Wendy Ryan, a stable owner who described ice and impact‑force risks for horses crossing concrete ramps. Lisonbee Reeder, representing the Stable Owners Association, asked the council to tour the facility and suggested portable alternatives such as towable bleachers, modular ADA mats and vault toilets to meet immediate needs at lower cost.

Multiple public speakers said they had not seen final construction drawings and that notification and engagement had been insufficient. Parks and Recreation Board members who spoke said they had received staff updates but not a detailed plan review; one board member said he had requested progress reports that staff had not provided.

Council discussed options including narrowing scope and replacing only the immediate seating and restroom elements. Councilor Hahn proposed returning the project to the Parks & Recreation Board for further coordination with the stable owners and county staff. The motion to send the Brewer Arena Improvements proposal back to the Parks & Recreation Board passed 6–0 (one member absent), so council did not approve the construction task order that evening.

Staff said the county will re‑engage stakeholders, refine the design — including materials for accessible routes — and return with a Parks & Rec recommendation and any funding requests. The project remains in active consideration; the need to replace condemned bleachers and upgrade ADA access was a recurring staff rationale for timely action if a final, agreed design can be developed.