Hobbs recreation officials report record participation, expanded programs in 2024

Doug McDaniel, speaking for the city Recreation Department, told the Hobbs City Commission that 2024 brought large increases in participation across aquatics, youth programs, senior services and golf operations. "We now have 10,124 total members" at the Core and taught 522 youth to swim, McDaniel said, adding that Rock Wind saw its highest-ever revenue at about $1,228,000.

The presentation summarized counts, facility maintenance and special events and said seasonal pools (Del Norte and Humble) hosted 18,240 visits, the Core recorded 364,169 visits for the year and the Core Kids program served 16,874 participants. McDaniel described a range of projects completed in 2024, including slide refinishing, shade structure replacements, boiler and UV-system service at pools, and a kitchen renovation at the senior center.

Why it matters: the figures provide an overview of municipal recreation demand and revenue that inform staffing, maintenance and capital planning. Commissioners repeatedly praised staff and asked that the presentation be posted publicly.

McDaniel outlined several program highlights: 57 teen-center special events; an adaptive sports festival with 69 participants; a pro pickleball tournament with 107 entrants; 38 golf tournaments (six with double-shotgun starts); and more than 51,900 total meals provided through the senior center (32,055 home-delivered Meals on Wheels and 19,871 congregate meals). He also reported $337,000 in grant funding to the senior center and added one Meals on Wheels delivery truck to the fleet.

City commissioners asked where the full presentation could be found; McDaniel said the department would post highlights on the city website and that an annual report would be compiled within weeks. City Manager Gomez noted that department highlights will be incorporated into broader monthly reporting to the commission.

Commissioners and the mayor applauded the department; several commissioners said the statistics should be made easily accessible to the public. "This would be highlights of the good things that Hobbs has going and how we use money effectively," one commissioner said, urging regular publication of the data.

The presentation closed with McDaniel offering to answer questions and commissioners moved on to other agenda items.