Los Alamos parks board reviews multi-year CIP, ice-rink shade survey and synthetic-turf study

At its February meeting the Los Alamos Parks and Recreation Board reviewed a multi‑year capital improvement program, heard progress updates on the ice rink chiller and shade‑structure proposal, and received early cost and timeline information on a possible conversion of athletic fields to synthetic turf.

The board was presented with an updated CIP that extends through 2033 and lists several projects identified in an ADA audit and an integrated master plan. "This is between 4 and a half and $5,000,000 a year out through 2029 that's allocated to CIP, based on our current pricing," said Corey, a Parks and Recreation staff member, describing the programmatic funding assumptions and a recognition that project pricing may change.

Board members heard status reports on recent and upcoming projects. Staff said Kinnickinnick Park is about 98 percent complete, with final signage, picnic tables and trash receptacles being installed and a ribbon‑cutting planned. The golf course is nearing substantial completion, with new restrooms expected to be funded and a course opening targeted for March 22, weather permitting. Staff reported the permanent ice‑rink chiller is scheduled for delivery and installation in the summer, and a temporary chiller remains in use for the current season through the following Monday.

Los Alamos Hockey Association board member Spring Smith urged board members to visit the rink and see why a shade structure is needed, saying the association "really do need this." Catherine Hudspeth, Parks and Recreation (participating remotely), summarized a community survey about the shade structure: "about 76% ... of the survey participants were in favor of this shade structure. And there was a tie between either the consideration of a permanent or retractable structure."

Board members were also briefed on athletic‑field planning. Staff described a multi‑year field renovation program that begins in May as year one of a three‑year plan and said the county has already allocated a little over $1 million this past year and anticipates about $3,500,000 in coming investments over the next three years. On the question of converting fields to synthetic turf, staff estimated an illustrative cost of roughly $5,000,000 per field and said the scale of the cost likely would require a bond action and community discussion; the earliest realistic timeline mentioned was fiscal year 2027 or later. A more detailed public meeting with conceptual reorientation and field number scenarios was scheduled at 5:30 p.m. at Fuller Lodge with a Zoom option.

Other items noted in staff updates included ongoing trailhead planning tied to a trail and open space management plan (with a virtual meeting of the open‑space working group scheduled for Feb. 19) and work on the North Mesa picnic master plan (contract AGR255‑29 was issued to Site Southwest). Staff also described electric infrastructure work to support electrified golf carts.

The board approved minutes from its Jan. 9, 2025 meeting and held an uncontested election of officers. A motion to elect Ryan Watkins as chair and Jerry as vice chair passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Jan. 9, 2025): motion to approve the attached minutes; outcome: unanimous approval. (Motion moved and seconded on the record.)

- Election of officers: motion to elect Ryan Watkins as chair and Jerry as vice chair; outcome: unanimous approval. (Motion moved and seconded on the record.)

The board previewed upcoming agenda items including a second public input session on the shade structure at the March meeting, an April demonstration of a new parks work‑management system, and an update on the tree inventory. Several staff and working groups were noted to be continuing outreach (open‑space working group, equestrian/livestock working group and a bike‑park survey effort).