Los Alamos County unveils $2.7M Brewer Arena improvement plan, includes ADA upgrades

Los Alamos County is moving forward with a major renovation of Brewer Arena aimed at bringing the venue into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and improving safety and access for spectators and equestrian users. The county has described a $2.7 million allocation for the project and has engaged Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects to plan and design the essential ADA improvements.

The work responds to a July 2024 Wilson & Company structural assessment that found the pavilion and grandstand unsafe and not ADA-compliant; that report prompted the closure of arena bleachers for the August rodeo and called for the urgent removal of the grandstand. Phase One of the work involved demolition: equipment staging began Nov. 11 and demolition commenced Nov. 13, with the county reporting that demolition of the unsafe grandstand was completed in December 2024. Construction documents were completed and advertised for bids in September 2025.

Planned upgrades include design and construction of a new covered grandstand, accessible restrooms, a new announcer’s booth, improved pedestrian circulation, designated space for food trucks, and parking and Crows Nest improvements to enhance overall accessibility and event operations. Wilson & Company’s initial scope included evaluation of the existing grandstand expansion and upgrades to the announcer’s box, restrooms, and parking areas to ensure accessibility for all community members.

Funding and bids have evolved during the planning process. The design has been funded in part by a $150,000 grant from the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, alongside the county allocation described as $2.7 million. Construction documents drew a bid of $1,934,000; Russell Naranjo, project manager for capital projects in the county facilities division, said the county is “right now looking at a total budget of $2,400,000,” with an approximate contingency of 18 percent to account for price escalation.

Local equestrian stakeholders have pressed for closer collaboration on rodeo-specific details. The Los Alamos Stable Owners Association and the Equine and Livestock Working Group urged additional stakeholder input on sightlines, horse crossings, materials, animal and handler circulation, and sidewalk surfacing where horses will cross. County staff framed the work as code- and ADA-driven, saying the renovations respond to a county ADA audit and transition plan and to public feedback gathered in multiple listening sessions.

Public engagement has been part of the process: the Parks and Recreation Board reviewed proposed plans at a special meeting Oct. 23, 2025, and the county has indicated additional community meetings in the final design phase after the first of the year. Project documents and meeting materials are available through the county’s Brewer Arena Improvement Project pages.

For more information or to submit comments, contact Los Alamos County Administrative Offices at 1000 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, NM 87544, call 505-662-8333, or email CustomerCare@lacnm.us. The renovations aim to make Brewer Arena safer and more accessible while preserving its role as a home for rodeo and year-round equestrian activity; the next steps will focus on final design refinements, stakeholder input, and moving construction toward completion.