Soccer stadium would put strain on Balloon Fiesta
As a long-time vendor at the Balloon Fiesta Park reading the opinion regarding the stadium, I feel compelled to set the record straight. I agree that the city needs a soccer stadium. However, putting the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta at risk isn’t the answer.
The Balloon Fiesta is growing and needs all of the land that was put aside as a park for the fiesta’s benefit.
The economic impact from the fiesta is enormous. A total of 968,516 visitors attended the event in 2023, according to Forward Analytics. According to the estimate the total economic impact was $203 million, with $119 million of it with Metro-area businesses. Why would the mayor ever risk a real benefit for an untried benefit?
I also question the idea that it isn’t costing the city anything because the stadium will be built by the team owner and they will pay rent. I question that belief. Who will pay for the delivery of water and electricity?
The agreement regarding the Balloon Fiesta organization and the city is 162 pages long because it is complicated, but truth is about the land. There are 10,000 parking spaces at the park, which are no longer enough for the fiesta. A stadium will eat up much of the parking land, reducing the money the Balloon Fiesta itself needs to operate.
I question why the mayor is supporting this area for this deal. I can give 100 reasons to leave the fiesta park alone. Even the spot they picked out for the stadium is questionable for access.
Is there a need for a soccer stadium? Probably, if not now, in the future. Is the Balloon Fiesta Park a good place for it? No.
For nine days in October, we love our beautiful balloons filling the skies and the people that fly them. The No. 1 event in the world that people have on their bucket list.
The City Council made a very bad decision when they approved the mayor’s plan. Two councilors voted no. The others voted yes. If they had understood the problems regarding the Balloon Fiesta, I believe they would have voted no as well.
MADELYN JONES Albuquerque