Las Cruces to consider improving decades-old soccer fields

Much to the appreciation of soccer fans all over Las Cruces, the city is considering adding improvements to multiple fields.

“Those fields are very degraded,” said Steve Hanson, the vice president of the Las Cruces Youth Soccer League. “The facilities are lacking (and) they use Porta Potties instead of restrooms.”

The High Noon Soccer Complex behind Mayfield High has the city’s best fields. However, players must drink water from a hose if they get thirsty. Five fields share one set of bathrooms.

“Continuing on a substandard deteriorating facility that will not be improved is not an appropriate or an acceptable future,” Hanson said.

The Provencio-Van Dame field on Hadley has no restrooms, shade or seating. Meanwhile, the baseball fields just yards away have concession stands, shade and multiple bathrooms.

Before renovating or improving the fields, the city must first acquire a lease from the public schools, Hanson said.

“The fields are there, the facilities are there,” Hanson said. “If there’s a mechanism that enables capital improvement, there’s tremendous potential for that facility.”