Las Cruces businessman proposes private sports complex

A Las Cruces businessman is hoping to address the growing need for a sports complex.

“We’ve doubled in size, we’ve doubled in number of kids,”?Scott Bannister, a Las Cruces businessman said.

“So many kids are missing out, Las cruces is such a great baseball town,” Bannister said.

Bannister is hoping to bring a baseball complex to Las Cruces—it would include one high school sized baseball field, five youth softball fields, three youth t-ball fields, 10 sand volleyball courts, and indoor basketball and volleyball courts.?

City officials also recognize the need for a facility. Mark Johnston, with the city’s parks department, says they turn away at least 20 tournaments a year due to lack of fields.?

“There’s quite the demand from the different leagues, different associations,” Johnston said.

The privately funded project would attract at least 18-20 tournaments and 30,000 people a year. Bannister says the project is not a money making venture, he anticipates it will break even. He says the revenue from tournaments will be used to reduce the fees for local children to use the facility.

Bannister, a former Little League coach who took his team to regionals a few years ago, is also hoping to bring Little League back to Las Cruces.?

“We’re hoping to implement little league again with these new fields,” Bannister said.

The entire project will cost $1.5 to $2 million. In a meeting Monday, City Council decided not to become directly involved with the project. Councilors ruled out the option of using bonds to fund the project, because Bannister’s timeline for construction is too soon for councilors to do so.

Las Crucens who live near the proposed complex fully support the idea.

“This is a sports center right here, I’ll be glad to see it,” Orlando Samaniego said.

Bannister is hoping to break ground in 120 days. ?The project is expected to be completed by spring of 2016. Although it is funded by bannister, you can donate to help.