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Los Alamos staff present Brewer Arena renovation update; PRB to vote in December
Summary
County staff presented design updates to modernize Brewer Arena — including ADA-compliant restrooms, elevated and centered grandstands, sidewalk material changes and crow’s-nest revisions — and said final recommendation to county council will follow a PRB vote expected in December; estimated project cost has grown from $2.7 million to about $3.0 million.
Russell Naranjo, project manager for the county’s capital projects and facilities division, presented updated designs for the Brewer Arena and told the Parks and Recreation Board the work is driven by accessibility and safety needs. “This project focuses on bringing the facility up to modern standards, so it can be safe, accessible, and fully usable for everyone,” Naranjo said.
The proposed scope includes ADA-compliant restrooms, accessible grandstand seating, improved parking and a connected sidewalk system on the spectator side, plus a new crow’s nest to support event operations. Staff reported community input from a Nov. 3 listening session with the Los Alamos Stable Owners Association (LASSOA) helped shape design changes, including centering the grandstand on the arena’s 50‑yard line and placing it 15 feet from the fence, per industry guidance.
Staff estimated the changes tied to the grandstand and pavilion roof (excluding potential seating‑incline work) at a rough order of magnitude of $320,000. Naranjo said the overall project budget started at $2.7 million and has increased to about $3.0 million after proposed improvements. “We started off with a $2,700,000 budget, and now we’re up to $3,000,000 now as a result of some of the improvements,” he said.
On the crow’s‑nest, staff agreed to remove the rooftop HVAC unit, keep the structure in its existing footprint over the bucking chutes, add windows on all four sides and include security awnings and a 12‑inch countertop for announcers; staff said lightning protection is not required by code and would add cost. For restrooms, the project architect confirmed the current layout meets ADA clearances, though staff acknowledged restroom capacity will not meet peak bleacher demand and said temporary facilities (porta‑potties) could be used as needed.
Sidewalk material drew particular attention from equestrian users. Staff and user representatives agreed asphalt — with a roughened or non‑slick finish where horses travel — offered a balance between horse safety, durability and accessibility. Several public commenters insisted the horse‑travel surface must not be smooth asphalt; county staff committed to capturing that requirement in the design.
Multiple public commenters thanked staff for outreach but asked for time to review the presentation before a decision. Lisa Reeder, a local resident, said the public needed “an opportunity to look at what this final presentation is, have time to look at it, digest it, and make really good comments.” County staff said the presentation will be posted on the project website and emailed to user groups.
Naranjo and Public Works Director Eric Martinez said the project team will return to the PRB to request an official recommendation to send to county council and continue refining contractor cost estimates. “We will be coming back to PRB to get an official recommendation from the board, so that we could take that forward to county council,” Martinez said. Staff said they hope to begin construction in February 2026 but cautioned that grandstand/bleacher work may not be completed in time for the 2026 rodeo; portable bleachers could be used if needed.
The PRB did not take final action on Brewer Arena at this meeting; staff asked board members to provide further comments and said they expect to return with a recommendation and updated cost information at the next meeting.
