Preservationists in Las Cruces have until early next week to come up with a workable plan to save the nearly century-old clubhouse at the site of the Las Cruces Country Club.
That single-story brick stucco structure was designed by the legendary El Paso architect Henry Trost and for decades served as a lounge for golfers, while providing meeting space for any number of community activities.
The future of the Pueblo-designed building, which was built at a reported cost of $18,000, has been in question ever since the golf course itself closed in 2011, with work on a 30-acre medical campus beginning in 2018.
Earlier this year members of the Las Cruces City Council voted in favor of rezoning the larger site, allowing for mixed-use development.
But what to do with the clubhouse has remained a thorny question, with several community groups advocating for its preservation, and city officials noting that ultimately the matter remains in the hands of the developer.
Now Mayor Ken Miyagishima has suggested that the city may be able to pay for half of the cost of moving structure to another location, if those interested in preserving it would come up with the other half.
If any group wants to “form an organization, whether it’s a ‘Save the Las Cruces County Club LLC,’ or whatever it may be, and raise half the money, I will do my best to come up with the other half, whether it’s some other type of appropriation,” said the Mayor.
Noting cost estimates, saying it will take around $290,000 to move the building, Miyagishima continued: “The current owner said he is willing to spend the amount he was going to use for demolition, which was $40,000 towards that $290,000.”
That leaves $250,000. Miyagishima said the city could come up with $125,000 of that amount, leaving it up to those who want to save the building to raise the remaining $125,000.
By Garry Boulard
