A recreational center based in southeast Albuquerque that has provided boxing training for several generations of young people may be in line for an expansion.
Some $1.3 million in funds, part of a larger $60 million in pandemic relief money the City of Albuquerque has received from Washington, will target the expansion of the Jack Candelaria Community Center at 400 San Jose SE.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has announced a series of facility projects to be funded by the federal monies, including energy efficiency updates and general building improvements to the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, as well as the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Also proposed by the Mayor: $1 million for lighting improvements throughout the downtown area, and exactly $900,000 for the building of a splash pad and other improvements at popular Tingley Beach.
Keller said the Albuquerque Rescue Plan, which still must win the approval of the city council, is designed to help bring the city back from the economic maelstrom of the pandemic and subsequent shutdown.
“Now, we can increase our support for local businesses and families, while creating good jobs with New Deal-style infrastructure investments,” he remarked.
The one-story Jack Candelaria Community Center was inaugurated in 1997 and was formerly known as the South San Jose Community Center. It also houses a game room and basketball gym.
By Garry Boulard
