ABQ Times

Two significant projects in Albuquerque, the Ken Sanchez Westside Indoor Sports Complex and the Albuquerque Rail Trail, have secured funding through collaborative efforts between City Administration and the City Council.

The concept for the Ken Sanchez Westside Indoor Sports Complex was initially introduced by the late Ken Sanchez, who served as City Councilor for District 1. His successor, current District 1 City Councilor Louie Sanchez, has continued to advocate for the project. The City Council approved it last year. The Albuquerque Rail Trail project, unveiled in 2023, is a multi-phased initiative with an estimated cost of at least $90 million and is anticipated to take several years to complete. Although both projects received approval from the City Council, additional funding was required for their completion.

Councilor Louie Sanchez explored available citywide funding options to support these initiatives important to their constituents. Consequently, funding for the Ken Sanchez Indoor Sports Complex has been secured through money approved and allocated via CIP clean-up. This enables construction of the sports complex to commence immediately. Furthermore, $1 million remains designated for completing the Albuquerque Rail Trail.

"I want to thank my fellow City Councilors and Council Services staff who worked with me to identify funding to complete these projects," stated Councilor Louie Sanchez. "Our constituents have supported these projects from the start. This is the type of cooperation and communication necessary to advance the will of the people who live, work, and play in our respective Council Districts. I know that the late Councilor Ken Sanchez would be proud."

The indoor sports complex will be a first for Albuquerque’s Westside and will include basketball courts, volleyball courts, as well as facilities for wrestling, cheerleading, dance events, and indoor soccer. It aims to provide local youth organizations and families with both practice facilities and competition venues capable of hosting local and regional tournaments along with special events. The complex's location is between Coors Blvd and Atrisco NW south of St. Josephs NW offering convenient access from all parts of the city via I-40.