OPINION: Top of Mind: Should Albuquerque leaders proceed with a plan to begin construction of a soccer stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park this winter?

Aug. 5—Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Should Albuquerque leaders proceed with a plan to begin construction of a soccer stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park this winter?

"It is too early to think about a stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park. There should be traffic studies done, the Alameda & North Valley corridor is the least serviced in the city , and is a main route to the westside with traffic up to 7 p.m."

— Sarah Bonneau, Rio Rancho

"Balloon Fiesta Park is an ideal location — it's in the city with easy access and puts to good use a mostly unused space throughout the year. USL requires all teams to be in a purpose-built stadium by 2026. Let's keep our team. Let's do this NM/Albuquerque."

— Paul Cox, Albuquerque

"No. Ten thousand times no. I mostly support Mayor Keller, but I will withdraw my support if this goes through."

— Gerry Jurrens, Albuquerque

"Yes, yes, yes. Absolutely."

— Doreen Radcliff, Albuquerque

"I do not think that a soccer stadium should be built at our beautiful balloon park. It should be Downtown where it is more accessible to public transportation and restaurants. Or, the United should work with UNM to have the games at the UNM stadium."

— Debra Bohler, Albuquerque

"Oh, of course. This has been a 'tax & spend state' since 1931. ... The elites in Albuquerque have to have their building projects, every-so-often, to demonstrate how our tax dollars are 'improving the community,' eh?"

— Harry Hart, Albuquerque

"NM United is a business whose goal is to make a profit. Their investors have enormous wealth. Building a stadium on land that belongs to taxpayers equates to giving the wealthy a free ride. They should buy land to build the stadium. No handouts. Let's vote on it."

— Teresa Carroll, Albuquerque

"Original confusing ballot question seemingly only showed voters didn't want a public-funded stadium. Professional sports teams located away from the Big-I or Isotopes sports complex do poorly — hockey, D-League for example. How would votes be if the question was for private-funded stadium at sports complex or even Downtown?

— Richard Caldwell, Albuquerque

"Yes. NM United averages over a 10,500 attendance, which has been at the top of the list for USL Championship teams. With that much support, United needs their own stadium. Let's get it built."

— Sharon Gitzlaff, Corrales

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

What do you think of Albuquerque's planned 7-mile Rail Trail that would circle the Downtown area?

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