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Las Cruces Separates Convention Center And Sound Stage Funding

Earlier this year, Las Cruces City Council voted to work on creating a combined Convention Center Expansion and sound stage, but Monday the City Council voted to separate the funding to create a stand-alone sound stage.

Las Cruces City Council voted to separate the funding for a project that would have constructed a sound stage in a convention center expansion. City Councilor Gill Sorg says both groups were concerned about sharing the space.

“From the convention and visitors bureau,” Sorg said. “They do not think that it’s a good idea that we put the sound stage together with the convention center. The Film Las Cruces organization they do not believe that it’s a good idea to have them together. They really feel that this film and television and media enterprises that we might be able to do in the city here will need a separate facility, and that putting together with the convention center was going to be some conflict.”

Mayor Ken Miyagishima asked for a change in wording he said would have meant city staff would have the ability to pay for the cost of a sound stage without coming back to council. An amendment was passed to change that.

“I understand that they would prefer it not be in conjunction with the convention center,” Miyagishima said. “But one of the things I really wanted to do was have the public have the chance to see what is possibly on the table, how much it’s going to cost, how’s it going to be paid for, who are the users of it, and basically just some very basic fiscally responsible methods.”

A work session is planned to present a business plan for a potential sound stage. Irene Oliver-Lewis, Vice Chair of Film Las Cruces says they are already looking at possible locations.

“We’ve already done some due diligence,” Oliver-Lewis said. “We did some due diligence of properties at the University, at Arrowhead center, at West Mesa, and some private locations in town. So all of those are on the table. Of the pros and cons of what to do with it, and how to get the most of our money.”

The resolution to separate the convention center and sound stage projects passed unanimously.
 

Samantha Sonner was a multimedia reporter for KRWG- TV/FM.