ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — With tailgating, games, and of course, supporters of New Mexico United, the Isotopes, the Lobos, and all the high school sports held at the surrounding stadiums, Phillip Maldonado is essentially a next-door neighbor to a ton of sports action.
After residents of Balloon Fiesta Park voiced worries about potentially loud noise and heavy traffic, plans to construct a new stadium for New Mexico United were put on hold.
Maldonado remarked, “As far as noise goes, I just hear the stadium go off, and it usually sounds like fun.” It hasn’t been annoying, but occasionally, especially after work, I really want to go when I hear it. It seems to reach around ten o’clock, and then nothing happens.
Other locals who live close to Isotopes Park reported that parking and traffic have not been a problem.
One neighbor remarked, “We don’t really have a big problem about that, because I know they I think they more controlled it.” “We’ve never really had an issue with parking in our front yard or anything like that, so you see the signs with the neighborhood that it’s just the permanent parking.”
“Those of us who have been rooting for the club from the beginning cannot express how unique it is. Before Saturday night’s match, United supporter Matthew Troche declared, “It is truly, truly a special day.”
In the Western Conference semifinals, New Mexico United played their second postseason home game against the Las Vegas Lights. Even though United would lose 1-0 due to a late goal, the fans did not let them down as they withstood the cold to watch the historic match.
Matthew Dosanjh, a United supporter, remarked, “We’ve been supporting this team for the past six years, and to see the team representing New Mexico and just being forced for good.”
According to fans we spoke with, they are in favor of a new stadium.
The construction of the proposed stadium is still being opposed by three community associations close to Balloon Fiesta Park.
The groups challenged the Albuquerque City Council’s August ruling rejecting an appeal to the planning process in September. Although the Second District Court has not yet issued a verdict on that matter, supporters stated that they will be there wherever United plays.
