planned golf entertainment project in albuquerque may be on hold

Although the Albuquerque metro area has a population of nearly 900,000, a question is being raised as to whether or not that is enough people to support two large golf entertainment complexes.

Earlier this month members of the Albuquerque City Council approved an incentives package worth $2.6 million to spur the construction of a Topgolf outlet at the southwest corner of Montano Road NE and I-25, the site of a former water park known as The Beach that closed more than a decade ago.

That package was regarded as essential by officials with the Dallas-based company, which plans to build 72 climate-controlled hitting bays, a bar, restaurant, and meeting space.

Another outdoor recreation company, Big Shots, based in Chicago, announced plans late last year to build an 80-bay facility near the Balloon Fiesta Park on the I-25 corridor.

Big Shots officials said their plans for that site included a multi-story 71,000 square-foot facility that would cost up to $20 million to build.

But now, according to reports, that same company is rethinking its Albuquerque plans in the wake of Topgolf’s incentives package.

The company has not said when it will make a final decision on whether or not to pursue its Albuquerque plans.

The new Topgolf facility is expected to cost up to $40 million to build, with a targeted completion date of spring 2019.

By Garry Boulard