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Senate committee backs $5M for Luna Community College fields but excludes restrooms, utilities
Summary
The Senate Education Committee gave SB1194 a committee do-pass (5–3) to fund competition-ready baseball, softball and soccer fields at Luna Community College; the sponsor and college leaders said $5 million will build playable fields but not field houses, permanent restrooms or full utilities, which the college plans to fund from operations or fundraising.
The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday recommended SB1194 for passage, advancing a $5 million appropriation to build competition-ready baseball, softball and soccer fields at Luna Community College in Las Vegas, N.M.
Sponsor Senator Campos framed the request as district-driven, saying the fields respond to long-standing needs across multiple communities. The college's athletic director told the committee the program has turned around in recent years: "We graduate a 100% of our student athletes, and our student athletes now have an average GPA of 3.44," and said the fields would support recruiting, expand the roster (an additional 50–60 soccer athletes in the sponsor's plan) and host community activities such as a walking path and wildfire resiliency training.
Why it matters: Committee members pressed for financial and operational clarity. The AD said the $5 million figure covers turnkey field construction, survey, engineering, permits and materials and is intended to make all three playing surfaces competition-ready. "It will get all 3 fields built complete and ready to go for competition," he told the committee, adding that the amount would not pay for a field house, permanent restrooms, water hookups or electricity.
Scope and limitations: Committee members repeatedly asked which parts of the project the appropriation would cover. The AD said accessory items would be funded through the college's operating budget, fundraising, or future capital outlay requests; he described portable but sanitary restroom trailers and solar or other alternative-energy options for low electrical needs such as scoreboards and sound systems. He said construction timelines are short for specialized field contractors, with an expected 15—20-week turnaround after approval of layout and design.
Accountability and audits: Senators raised concerns about outstanding audits. The sponsor and college representatives said the institution is working with an independent public accountant to bring fiscal years into compliance and expected outstanding audits to be submitted in the near term; sponsor and staff said they would monitor spending and accountability.
Committee action: A do-pass motion was adopted by roll call with a reported 5—3 vote in committee, advancing SB1194 to the next step in the legislative process.
What happens next: With a committee do-pass recommendation, SB1194 moves toward floor consideration and must still clear additional legislative steps (appropriations and any final budgetary processes) before funds could be released. The college and sponsor indicated ongoing efforts to secure complementary capital and operating funding for restrooms, utilities and future amenities.
