State awards City of Carlsbad $25K for shade structures at Halagueño Arts Park

Mike Smith, Carlsbad Current-Argus
·2 min read

New shade structures could enhance outdoor activities at Carlsbad’s Halagueño Arts Park, according to the director of municipal services for the City of Carlsbad.

Carlsbad City Councilor’s approved a $25,000 grant agreement Dec. 14 between the City and the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) for installation of two shade structures in the arts park located in the heart of Carlsbad, wrote Angie Barrios-Testa in a memo to council.

The grant was from NMEDD’s Outdoor Recreation Division, read a news release from NMEDD.

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The City of Carlsbad was one of 25 organizations across New Mexico awarded more than $500,000 in Outdoor Recreation Trails Grants, the news release indicated.

The money was used to build trails, trailheads, signage and river access across New Mexico, per the release.

“The City of Carlsbad submitted a grant application for the Halagueño Arts Park on Aug. 31,2021, requesting $25,000 in funds for outdoor shade structures for the two performance stages in the park,” Barrios-Testa wrote in her memo.

City of Carlsbad Municipal Services Director Angie Barrios-Testa says a $25,000 grant from the State of New Mexico provides shade for the Halagueno Arts Park.
City of Carlsbad Municipal Services Director Angie Barrios-Testa says a $25,000 grant from the State of New Mexico provides shade for the Halagueno Arts Park.

She said NMEDD announced the awards Nov. 1 and Carlsbad was the lone awardee in southeast New Mexico.

“This project includes installation of two cantilever-style structures with fabric tops to provide maximum unobstructed shade and protection from the sun during events at the Halagueño Arts Park located in the Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District,” Barrios-Testa noted.

She said the project would help increase outdoor recreational activities and events in Carlsbad during the warmer months.

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“The City is committing an additional $41,000 in matching funds to cover the cost of the shade structures and the upgraded electrical needed for the performance stages,” she wrote in her memo.

According to NMEDD, the grant required a one-to-one match from other funding sources.

“Funding is split between tribal, rural, acequia/land grant and urban communities,” read NMEDD’s release.

Sculptures in the Halagueno Arts Park.
Sculptures in the Halagueno Arts Park.

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said the Halagueño Arts Park has seen plenty of development of the years and the new shades were a welcome addition.

“Thanks to Julia Heaton and her committee this will allow everyone to better enjoy concerts during the summer,” he said.

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Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: State awards Carlsbad $25K for shade at Halagueño Arts Park