The UNM Board of Regents today approved a proposal by Lobo Development Corporation (LDC) for design, construction and lease of a baseball clubhouse for the University of New Mexico Athletics Department.
"This has been a long process, but I want to thank our administration, Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs, and everyone on main campus that helped this project,” Head Baseball Coach Ray Birmingham said. “I could go on for hours thanking people because so many have helped make this possible. This will be the first time in the 117 years of the program that Lobo Baseball will have its own locker room with no strings attached.”
UNM Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs said, “It's a great step forward for our baseball program. Coach Birmingham has done a tremendous job both on and off the field, and a new clubhouse will give him another tool to continue to compete for Mountain West championships and hopefully reach the College World Series."
The new clubhouse addition is the second phase of a three-part renovation and overhaul of Lobo Field. It will be located along the south side of the existing baseball diamond and immediately adjacent to the indoor batting cage. Additionally, planned seating and press box upgrades, including suites, an elevator and covered spectator areas are also part of the renovations.
The site will contain 1.56 acres (67,774 square feet) with 95 parking spaces. Plans for the facility include a locker room, player’s lounge, training and hydrotherapy rooms, coaches’ offices and a second floor deck overlooking the playing field.
As part of the proposal, LDC will enter into a sub-ground lease with Mexico Nuevo Contractador, LLC, a New Mexico limited liability company (MNC). MNC will serve as general contractor to develop the clubhouse consistent with approved construction drawings provided by LDC and prepared by Dekker Perich and Sabatini. The principals of MNC are Scott Grady and Mark Cordova. Grady owns Raylee Homes, while Cordova is the founder of Cordova Contracting and Development.
“The cool part is most of the clubhouse is privately funded,” Birmingham noted. “The people of New Mexico, led by R.D. Hubbard, stepped up to make this happen. There are a lot of people involved, and I can't thank them enough. It shows to me that the people of New Mexico care about the kids of this state.”
The total project cost is $2,160,632 and includes turnkey construction of the building and site improvements.
The initial phase of renovations began in 2012 and included a new artificial playing surface, dugouts, fencing, and small grandstand and press box areas. Since then a new scoreboard, stadium lights and a permanent bathroom have been added.