12-04-2025 5:19am

City Commission Recap- Commission Awards $650,000 in LEDA Funds for Bowling Center Upgrades and More News

Chris Edwards Editor

City Commission Recap- Commission Awards $650,000 in LEDA Funds for Bowling Center Upgrades and M -

Alamogordo, NM — December 2, 2025

The Alamogordo City Commission lead the meeting with its biggest decision and voted Tuesday to allocate $650,000 in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds to modernize the aging bowling lanes at the Rocket City Family Fun Center. The project, scheduled to begin in January, will replace equipment that has been in use for nearly three decades. City officials noted that sourcing parts for the old lanes had become increasingly difficult, making modernization essential to keep the center viable as a recreational hub.

Finance Director Evelyn Huff reminded commissioners that LEDA funds, once approved by voters, can be used for debt service and quality-of-life improvements in addition to traditional job-creation projects. Mayor Susan Payne in her final month in office emphasized that the bowling center is a community anchor, and the upgrades will ensure its continued role in Alamogordo’s recreational landscape.

Prior LEDA Allocations in 2025

This award follows a year of significant LEDA investments in Alamogordo’s downtown and entertainment sector and underscoring the city of Alamogordo's commitment via Mayor Susan Payne and Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez to small business development and family oriented projects:

• Inkwell — received LEDA support to expand operations and enhance downtown small business opportunities.

• Sands Theater — awarded funding for modernization and preservation, ensuring the historic venue remains a cultural centerpiece on 1100 Block of New York Avenue in the proposed future Cultural Arts District.

• Rad Retrocade — supported with LEDA funds to grow as a family-friendly entertainment destination on the 800 Block of New York Avenue.

• Xtreme Amplitude Gym Expansion — debated earlier this fall, though commissioners questioned the viability of their $1.9 Million Dollar application, the owners withdrew their application after multiple contentious discussions.

Together, these allocations reflect Alamogordo’s dual priorities: supporting local business growth and preserving community amenities and improving family friendly projects, while continuing to weigh larger strategic projects tied to Holloman AFB and community engagement projects.

Other Commission Activities

Tuesday’s meeting also included several notable items:

• Aquatic Center Naming: Commissioners officially named the new natatorium the Alamogordo Aquatic Center, underscoring its role as a flagship recreational facility for families and seniors.

• Liquor Licenses: Approvals were granted for Pizza Patio and Oppenheimer Gasthaus, a new German restaurant on New York Avenue, signaling growth in the city’s hospitality sector.

• Community Milestone: Longtime resident and WWII veteran John DiRisio celebrated his 100th birthday at The Aristocrat Assisted Living Center, joined by family and friends.

• Public Safety Update: Commissioners acknowledged the tragic plane crash near White Sands Regional Airport that claimed the lives of Ralph Guerin (73) and Patrick Cheung (40). Mayor Payne offered condolences and urged residents to keep the families in their prayers.

Looking Ahead

The $650,000 LEDA award reflects Alamogordo’s commitment to balancing economic development with community quality-of-life projects. With nearly $1.3 million in LEDA funds still unallocated, commissioners face critical decisions in the months under the new Mayor Sharon McDonald who will be officially sworn in January 30, 2025 with the public ceremonial swearing in January 13, 2026.

The look ahead for the new mayor will be to prioritize military housing, private-sector recreation, or other strategic small business development and infrastructure investments.

Alamogordo Town News, along those lines is hosting a public Salon/Forum on Monday December 8th, 6 pm at Otero Arts, 1118 Indiana with guest speakers, Mayor Susan Payne and Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez. The theme, “How do we help our new mayor succeed—and what does shared leadership look like in Alamogordo?”, will invite participants to reflect on civic priorities and clarify how leadership functions in Alamogordo’s commission–manager form of government.