New chapter for Meerscheidt

A place where generations of Las Cruces residents have played basketball, joined leagues and spent afternoons with friends looks considerably different these days. 

Meerscheidt Recreation Center has undergone a major renovation, transforming former locker rooms and underused areas into spaces for fitness classes, gatherings and youth activities. Recreation Facility Manager Zach Hernandez said roughly 80% of the building has been remodeled, with additional improvements planned as the city works to modernize the remaining areas. 

The project grew out of a need to make better use of space. Hernandez said the old locker rooms and showers were rarely used, while the weight room drew only two or three visitors a day. At the same time, the front entrance had become crowded as more people came to the facility. 

Among the additions is the Kids' Cave, a room created from the former men's locker room that can be rented for birthday parties, team celebrations, and other gatherings. Families can use the adjoining gym, picnic tables and sand volleyball courts as part of their visit. 

The former women's locker room has become a fitness studio, while the redesigned entrance provides more room for people arriving for games, classes and other activities. Hernandez said the changes also give parents a place to spend time while their children participate in programs. 

The renovation follows the replacement of the basketball court's hardwood floor in 2021. Hernandez credited city facilities and project management staff, the Public Works Department and construction partners for helping carry out the improvements. 

Keeping the center open during construction required another kind of adjustment. The city divided the project into phases, closing sections of the building while maintaining access to the gyms and scheduled programs through alternate entrances. The effort was particularly important at a facility where recreational activities can fill much of the day. Meerscheidt offers basketball, pickleball, racquetball and fitness classes, along with youth programs in soccer, volleyball, baseball and flag football. 

Adult sand volleyball has become one of its biggest attractions. Hernandez said the league has grown to nearly 80 teams, with games running into the evening to accommodate demand. The department has also expanded its volleyball offerings to include grass tournaments and additional opportunities for adults to compete throughout the year. 

Interest among younger players has increased as well, particularly in volleyball. Hernandez said the department continues to adjust its programs to accommodate participation while maintaining an emphasis on skill development and giving newcomers a chance to play. Looking ahead, he hopes to introduce more competitive tournaments, including opportunities for youth teams, while continuing to offer recreational leagues. 

That philosophy reflects the purpose behind Meerscheidt's opening in September 1973. The facility was established as a gathering place for youth and families, with an addition in 1978 bringing more gym and racquetball space. 

The center was named for Hilmar Meerscheidt, whom Hernandez described as a community advocate who helped organize youth baseball programs. He said the building became an anchor for the recreational facilities that later developed along Hadley Avenue, including nearby baseball and softball fields. 

Hernandez has his own connection to that history. He remembers walking into Meerscheidt in 2003 and being assigned to a youth basketball team, long before he became the facility's manager. 

“I started here. Just like many others started here,” Hernandez said. 

For families today, he sees the center as an affordable place for children to learn the fundamentals before deciding whether to pursue more competitive sports. The same approach extends to adults who want to stay active without joining a private organization or traveling for competition. 

The city's plans now extend beyond athletics. Hernandez said instructional offerings planned for 2027 include Spanish, STEM activities for children, art and dog-training classes. The additional programs would make use of the renovated rooms and provide options for residents whose interests do not involve sports. 

Other improvements remain on the drawing board as the city looks to address the portions of the building that have not yet been remodeled. Hernandez said plans include updating the remaining hallways and potentially converting the former weight room into another classroom or community space. 

Work has also begun on the outdoor multiuse court, where older bleachers have been removed and the area has received maintenance and cleanup. Hernandez said the next goal is to improve the playing surface, potentially with new concrete or outdoor court flooring, to give teams another place to practice when the indoor gyms are occupied. 

He also hopes to expand youth programming and offer clinics to help volunteer coaches, although managing improvements around the facility's busy schedule remains a challenge. 

For residents who have not visited recently, Hernandez hopes the updated spaces offer a reason to return, whether for a basketball game, a family gathering or an activity they have never tried before. 

“One, we're still here, and two, we're offering new things to you,” Hernandez said.