The Alamogordo City Commission approved nearly $13 million in bond financing for the city’s planned natatorium at its regular meeting this week, ending months of uncertainty over how the aquatic facility would be funded and setting construction on track to begin as early as next year.

Commissioners voted to borrow up to $12,865,000 through Bank of Albuquerque at an interest rate of approximately 4.175%, structured as a 25-year amortization with a seven-year balloon payment. The financing will be repaid through the city’s 0.125% municipal infrastructure gross receipts tax, which voters previously approved for the project. The vote required a supermajority of six of the seven commissioners — a threshold the body met.

Key figures at a glance:

$12,865,000  Natatorium financing approved

4.175%  Interest rate — Bank of Albuquerque

14–16 months  Estimated construction duration

Mayor Sharon McDonald expressed clear enthusiasm for the milestone after the vote. “This natatorium has been a long time coming, and I couldn’t be more pleased that we are finally moving forward,” McDonald said. “This facility is going to be a treasure for our entire community — a place where our youth can train and compete year-round, and where our elderly residents can stay active, healthy, and connected. It’s an investment in every generation of Alamogordo.”

City officials had previously explored financing through the New Mexico Finance Authority, but a five-month delay in that agency’s bond sale process prompted the shift to a private lender. Unlike the NMFA option, Bank of Albuquerque does not require a reserve fund — a distinction that would have added roughly $845,000 to the city’s total borrowing under the state program. Thus the financing arrangement saves the city and taxpayers money. Officials noted that interest rates remain volatile and urged moving quickly to lock in current terms.

Bid documents for the project are expected within 30 to 45 days following a 95% design review, with a public bidding window of 60 to 90 days after that. If the timeline holds, construction could begin in early 2027 and wrap up within 14 to 16 months. The commission delegated authority to the mayor, city manager, and finance director to finalize loan terms within parameters set by the full body, with a commitment to notify commissioners once terms are locked in.

Public comment before the vote was pointed. Swim coach Tiffany Miller, competitive swimmer and lifeguard Cheyenne Cervantes, former city administrator Jan Brenn, and avid swimmer Shelley Dhanic Baron all urged the commission to act without further delay, arguing that rising construction costs and dwindling community trust made inaction increasingly costly. Several speakers noted the project carries a voter mandate and that further delays risked eroding public confidence in the city’s ability to deliver on its promises.

HOUSING SHORTAGE ADDRESSED

In a separate action, the commission approved the first reading of Ordinance 1723, designating approximately 151 acres in the Mesa Village area as a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area. The zone — located west of the intersection of Mesa Village, Mesa Verde Ranch Road, and Accashia Avenue — is intended to spur multifamily housing development to address what city staff described as a shortage of roughly 1,300 rental units across the city and county.

Developers who build within the designated zone would be eligible for a seven-year property tax abatement, a financial incentive designed to attract large-scale residential and commercial investment rather than piecemeal development. City officials also noted that local military installations may donate land within the zone for a planned Fire Station 8, which would serve the growing western portion of the city. A second reading of the ordinance — which will include a detailed map of the area — is scheduled for a future meeting.

ZOO PURSUES ACCREDITATION AMID MAJOR UPGRADES

Zoo Manager Kate Maize and Parks and Recreation Director Belinda Bass briefed commissioners on a sweeping set of improvements at the Alamogordo Park Zoo, which draws roughly 60,000 visitors each year. The facility has completed a USDA-compliant perimeter fence — previously a major barrier to accreditation — along with new exhibits for Mexican gray wolves and primates that meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards. Plans are underway to expand the bear exhibit and renovate the duck pond.

The zoo is targeting an AZA accreditation application in the coming spring, a milestone supported by more than $1 million in infrastructure investment funded through state legislative support and Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan grants. A newly assigned USDA inspector has led to updated vaccination programs and monthly animal health checks, and the zoo has contracted with local veterinary clinics for ongoing care. The facility has also adopted Species360, a globally used animal record system that supports species survival planning and inter-zoo communication.

On the visitor side, the zoo has expanded its educational offerings to include junior zookeeper classes, school outreach talks, and family-friendly Wednesday night events. Crystal Manata, the parent of an autistic child, praised the zoo’s sensory-friendly nighttime events during public comment, saying the programming had made the zoo far more accessible to her family. Angela Cowwater, a former Friends of the Zoo board member, also commended staff for the facility’s trajectory.

Community visionary and retired art teacher James Perry separately presented a set of suggestions for improving the zoo and nearby train depot, including noise barriers and landscape mounds to buffer animal habitats from train sound, the reinstatement of a petting zoo with train access for children, new snack bar amenities, and aesthetically pleasing fencing connecting the military memorial to the train museum. Perry said he was willing to collaborate with the city to bring the ideas to fruition.

ALAMOGORDO OFFICER RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR

Agent Travis Jones, deputy commander of the White Mountain Drug Task Force, received the VFW National Law Enforcement Award during the meeting — a prestigious recognition given at the national level. Jones joined the Alamogordo Police Department in 2023 after a career spanning agencies in California and Nevada, including stints with the U.S. Border Patrol and Hatch Police Department. He quickly became a field training officer and was selected for the K9 program, partnering with K9 Mika before being appointed deputy commander in September 2024.

In 2025 alone, Jones seized more than 12,000 fentanyl pills, over 200 grams of fentanyl powder, 1,700 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of heroin, 89 grams of cocaine, 30 firearms, and more than $10,000 in currency. He also received the Alamogordo Police Department’s Chief’s Commendation Award and Exceptional Duty Award.

Representatives from the local VFW and the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club were also on hand to announce an upcoming Honor Flight return event April 25th at 7 pm for local Vietnam-era veterans, requesting city support for an escort and ceremony for returning service members.

INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, AND OTHER BUSINESS

The commission approved a $135,750 change order for an ongoing waterline replacement project after crews encountered underground conditions that differed significantly from outdated original drawings. Officials said materials had already been ordered urgently to avoid disruptions to water pressure, and that work was partially complete at the time of the vote.

Commissioners also passed Resolution 2026-10, authorizing the city to apply for a New Mexico Department of Transportation local government road fund grant to rehabilitate First Street between U.S. 54 and South White Sands Boulevard. The $81,250 grant requires a 25% local match. Staff indicated the city may submit a separate future application for rehabilitation of 10th Street as well.

City Manager remarks touched on several ongoing operational matters, including challenges with trash truck operating hours, staffing pressures in the water billing department, road repair progress, weed control, and efforts to address homeless encampments. A Golf RFP was pulled from consideration to allow input from union employees. The city manager also flagged persistent legislative funding challenges for southern New Mexico communities.

In board appointments, Eric Usching was reappointed to the Veterans Affairs Board for a seventh term, and Rhonda Alten was reappointed to the Alamogordo Public Library Board for a third term. Vacancies remain open on the Airport Zoning Board and the Senior Volunteer Programs Advisory Council.

The commission also proclaimed April 24, 2026 as Purple Up for Military Kids Day, encouraging residents of Alamogordo and Otero County to wear purple in visible support of military children and their families. Budget workshops are scheduled for May 4 and 5, and a public “coffee and connections” event with city department directors is planned for May 8. A citywide cleanup event is also set for July 18.

Tamara Hansen, president of City Employees Union 3818, addressed the commission during public comment to underscore the union’s commitment to supporting city workers and maintaining a collaborative relationship with city leadership — remarks that came amid the union’s involvement in several pending city decisions.

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