Eddy County Sheriff’s Posse Arena Conceptual Plan
Eddy County | Carlsbad, NM
Project Description
Conceptual plan of County Sheriff’s Posse Arena.
Design Team
Formative Architecture + Populous
Eddy County planned a significant renovation and expansion of the existing Sheriff's Posse Arena. Formative Architecture partnered with Populous to collaborate with the County to develop a comprehensive vision for the site's future.
The proposed site plan integrates with the existing outdoor arena and adjacent community park, offering a tree-lined basin that provides a welcoming microclimate as a retreat from the surrounding desert. The new multipurpose building creates a vibrant hub for community gatherings and large-scale events. With its main entrance oriented towards the highway, the building welcomes visitors into a versatile complex that brings together the following spaces:
The Banquet Hall is a spacious, column-free venue that can host up to 3,000 guests and be divided into smaller rooms for flexible use. A full commercial kitchen supports events of all sizes, with the option of a future restaurant and shaded patio overlooking the highway.
The Expo Hall offers a versatile, open floor plan that can transform from a sports venue - with up to six basketball or twelve volleyball courts - to an exhibition space with over 260 booths. It includes convenient access to restrooms, concessions, and back-of-house service areas.
The Covered Arena, built to PRCA standards, directly aligns with the outdoor arena to streamline event operations. It will feature stepped grandstand seating, accessible concourses, and a VIP bridge with club lounges and patios overlooking both arenas.
The existing Outdoor Arena will be revitalized with new covered seating, patios, restrooms, and concessions - connecting seamlessly to the new facilities for an integrated fairgrounds experience.
The new site development proposes a year-round 60-unit RV village, a 200-stall covered livestock pavilion, a maintenance and storage facility, overflow parking, and 100 spaces for trailer and short-term RV parking.
The facility's capacity for event planning would be unmatched in New Mexico, establishing Carlsbad as a regional hub for events such as Professional PRCA Rodeo, Monster Truck shows, concerts, equestrian competitions, community gatherings, fairs, training exercises, weddings, quinceañeras, basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer tournaments.
This plan represents a bold initiative for Eddy County, aiming to provide its community with a flexible venue capable of supporting all types of events for generations to come.
Services Provided
Architecture
Interior Architecture
Programming
Comprehensive Planning
Community Outreach
Renderings
Formative Architecture
Design Team
Formative Architecture
Populous
Year
2025