A feasibility study is being undertaken of a proposal to build a new multi-purpose arena at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds in Albuquerque.
The study will help Expo New Mexico officials determine the probable size of the new facility, its construction costs, and other aspects of the project.
If eventually approved, the new stadium, with a likely seating capacity of 15,000, would be built near the site of the current Tingley Coliseum located at 300 San Pedro Drive NE.
That facility, built in 1957 as a horse show and rodeo venue, has long hosted a variety of entertainment and fairgrounds events, and has additionally been home to the New Mexico Scorpions ice hockey team as well as football’s Duke City Gladiators.
It past years, the Tingley Coliseum has memorably showcased such entertainment legends as Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Prince.
But because the Tingley Coliseum has a seating capacity of around 11,000, the facility has failed to attract the kind of larger entertainment events which today often require more space for staging.
If a new arena is eventually built, the coliseum may very well be demolished.
The feasibility study is expected to cost around $100,000 and should be completed by this summer.
By Garry Boulard
