Rio Rancho’s MAC is expanding

The McDermott Athletic Center in Rio Rancho is making some big changes.

Plans for expanding The MAC were approved at Tuesday night’s Planning and Zoning Board meeting.

The MAC plans on bringing in much-needed amenities to the facility.

The request from the applicant was to add the permissive use of restaurants, bars, lounges, coffee/tea rooms, delicatessens, and patio/al fresco dining facilities to The MAC, which was unanimously approved.

“We’re very excited about the possibility that these two very aligned programs work well together for the same patrons,” said Christina Yu of McClain & Yu Architecture & Design. “It’s incredibly family-oriented. As the children and young adults are being occupied in the center, the parents have an opportunity to lounge as well as, perhaps, get food.”

The MAC already includes basketball, softball and hockey and now has plans to build two two volleyball courts and three pickleball courts. It will add room to serve food and drinks and add more sports to its offerings.

The center is surrounded by neighborhoods, but there are limited places for people to get a bite to eat. This project looks to change that.

“Considering my children have been to The MAC quite a lot playing hockey and whatnot, I think it’s long overdue to kind of revitalize that center and grow it,” P&Z District 2 board member Kevin Kofchur said. “So, I’m happy to hear that there’s finally something happening.”

Daniel McCabe with Legacy Church raised some concerns at Tuesday’s meeting.

“The sports ideas and all of that is great but just wanted to let the concern be known about the alcohol,” McCabe said. “Our only concern is that the new use is open to alcohol. I do not see how that would be permissible so close to land owned by a church with plans for a school.”

At this point, there is no set plan for what businesses will be on the property, but a business would have to apply separately for a liquor license.

“They actually do have to come in for a separate process for their liquor, or beer and wine license or liquor license to the governing body for further approval in the future,” Development Services Director Amy Rincon said.

The plan is to finish construction first, then determine what kinds of businesses will go in.

“When you put in these kinds of amenities in a neighborhood like that, it increases the walk score and the values of properties, and I really think it’s a good idea,” P&Z District 4 board member Robert Gabaldon said.