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Nambe Community and Senior Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Santa Fe, NM – September 11, 2012 - Santa Fe County residents are invited to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Historic Santa Fe County Nambe Community and Senior Center on Saturday, September 15, 2012. The ribbon cutting will be held at the center from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., which is located at 180 Nambe, State Road 503 (near the Nambe Church). U.S. Congressman Ben R. Lujan of Nambe will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony Commissioner Daniel Mayfield will host a Constituent Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The constituent open house is an opportunity for residents to visit and speak with Commissioner Mayfield about any concerns or issues they may have.

The Santa Fe County Fire Department will be at the open house with a fire truck for children to view and Sparky the Fire Dog will be present. Area residents will be able to obtain burn permits during the constituent open house. Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert Garcia will have a sheriff deputy available to discuss development of Neighborhood Watch groups and to provide general public safety information. Santa Fe County Community Services and the Santa Fe County DWI Prevention Division will also be present with information. A Human Resources Representative will be at the event with applications for current Santa Fe County job opportunities.

According to a 2008 assessment, the Historic Nambe Community and Senior Center property has served various functions over the last 77 years. It housed a church building that was constructed prior to 1935 and by the 1940s the property was donated to the Pojoaque Valley School system by an area landowner. From the 1940s through 1975 the Pojoaque Valley School system used the property as an elementary school. In 1975 the building was used by a local church for meeting and classroom space.

"I am very excited and pleased to see this new community service become available for Nambe area residents. Not only is this building historically significant, but also I’m sure it holds many memories for valley residents who either attended school or church services here over the generations. This open house is an opportunity for the community and neighbors to gather, visit and share stories. The renovation has maintained the historic integrity of this building and I encourage the public to come and see the improvements,” said Commissioner Mayfield.

The recent renovation was completed by Longhorn Construction from Albuquerque with a $306,999 grant through the Agency on Aging. The final renovation cost totaled $312,571.54, in which Santa Fe County contributed the remaining balance. SMPC Architects worked with the community to include renovation suggestions. Renovations included: limited demolition, building upgrades for new electrical and gas service, new plumbing, HVAC upgrades, construction of ADA compliant bathrooms, new stucco, new windows, and an ADA van accessible parking space.

Additionally, the new building heating system was designed with a high efficiency furnace, new energy efficient lighting systems and new insulated glazing that was installed throughout the center. The county added two inches of insulation to the exterior adobe walls before re-stuccoing, which also increased the buildings overall energy efficiency year round.

Santa Fe County is looking for interested residents to sit on the Nambe Community Center Board. The committee will consist of three to five volunteer members to govern the daily activities of the Community Center. The center board members will be appointed by the Santa Fe County Commission. The Nambe Senior and Community Center will serve as a central hub for training seniors in the community concerning health and wellness. Persons interested in applying should contact:

Lula Wilson at (505) 992-3060 or lwilson@santafecountynm.gov.

For more information on the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house contact Juan Rios, Commission District 1 liaison at 505-986-6328 or jrios@santafecountynm.gov.