Future of SunRay Park and Casino Hangs in the Balance

The fate of SunRay Park and Casino will be the highlight of Monday’s San Juan County Commission meeting in Aztec, New Mexico, following recent news of the racino owners’ plan to relocate the long-standing Farmington operation to Clovis. This unexpected announcement has caused frustration among local officials and uncertainty among residents who have depended on the venue for jobs and tourism proceeds for more than two decades.

SunRay’s San Juan Operations Are No Longer Sustainable

Last week, SunRay President Paul Blanchard confirmed that a plan to move operations across the state was underway. In an email to local news outlet Tri-City Record, he revealed that a devastating 55% drop in casino revenue and declining attendance at the racetrack and casino were the primary reasons behind the relocation. Blanchard also drew attention to the regional energy industry crisis and rising competition from nearby tribal casinos.

The decline in revenue has been substantial – far beyond what could be resolved through a rent reduction or facility improvements.

Paul Blanchard, SunRay President

Blanchard and his team argue that the relocation is imperative for long-term survival. New Mexico’s racetrack casinos pay higher taxes and must contribute 20% of their revenue to horse purses, while tribal venues operate under different compacts. According to Blanchard, the Clovis site represents an opportunity to regain profitability and better support the state’s racing sector.

We believe that this move will result in substantially higher revenues for the State of New Mexico, larger purses for horsemen, and more racing days.

Paul Blanchard, SunRay President

The Clovis project would occupy a 200-acre location on the eastern side of the town and would include a 1,600-meter-wide oval track, a grandstand for 3,000 spectators, a casino, a hotel, and an RV park. The New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC) is currently reviewing the proposal, with a 45-day public comment window underway. If approved, the new track is expected to launch by spring 2027.

San Juan Officials See a Silver Lining

While San Juan County officials acknowledge SunRay’s considerations, they noted that the decision caught them off guard. Sen. Bill Sharer even accused the company of keeping local leaders intentionally in the dark. Even so, San Juan County officials hope to make the best of the situation with a plan to revive the site through new uses such as outdoor markets, motocross events, concerts, and recreational amenities.

Despite plans to make the most of the situation, the loss of SunRay would deal a substantial blow to the local economy. The racino provides 120 jobs, and its operations accounted for about $1.2 million of the county’s annual revenue. State Senator Steve Lanier warned that the relocation, along with the decline in the energy sector, could hinder San Juan County’s economic recovery.

The San Juan County Commission’s November 10 meeting will give the public a platform to weigh in and may shape the county’s formal response to the relocation. However, with Blanchard’s focus firmly on Clovis, many in Farmington believe that the end is already near for one of the community’s last major entertainment and tourism attractions.