Chimayo retreat draws opposition

CHIMAYO, N.M. (AP) - A plan to build a multimillion retreat complex next to the historic El Santuario de Chimayo in northern New Mexico is drawing opposition from some nearby residents.

The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/Ao3CDY ) that the newly formed Chimayo Citizens for Community Planning met last week to begin organizing its opposition to the project over fears of increased traffic and "erosion of cultural values."

Chimayo Citizens for Community Planning president Raymond Bal said the group intends to serve a long-term purpose with any planning issues that come up in the region around Chimayo. Steps are being taken to have it recognized by the Santa Fe County Board of Commissioners as a formal advisory group, he said.

"Our main interest is the tourism erosion of cultural values," Bal said, explaining that one of those values is tranquility. Some residents fear that the increasing density of the Archdiocese's development will lead to 24-hour activity in the area every day of the year, he said.

Members of the group attended an open house sponsored by Los Ninos Foundation, the group raising money for the project, to voice their opposition.

In December, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced that a retreat complex aimed at attracting long-term pilgrims was in the works.

Gil Martinez of Los Ninos Foundation said the plan calls for a 25-room retreat center, built in a hacienda style around a courtyard, that would be located on land between the river and the drive leading into the Santuario's parking lot.

Not counting jobs created during construction, Martinez estimated that, with 70 percent occupancy, 25 to 30 people would be hired to staff the center, with perhaps one-third of the jobs paying more than minimum wage. "The foundation will have volunteers, as well," he added.

Martinez also said programs would be set up for young people, including training for some of them to learn to work by checking in the guests, leading historical and cultural tours of the area, working the vegetable gardens and orchards that would be used in feeding guests, and more. Martinez said, however, that youths would not be paid while they served in such apprentice programs, although there was a chance that after training they could be hired as paid staffers.

Last Wednesday, with 80 minutes remaining in a four-hour open house held to make plans available to the public and have planners answer questions, some 75 people were estimated to have stopped by the Holy Family Parish Hall. Martinez said he had been yelled at by some and praised by others.

The praise came from people who like that the project might help children and that two houses between 100 and 200 years old will be restored, he said.

The yelling, according to Martinez, came because "some people just don't want it, period."

Two women who live next to one part of the project said at the meeting that they feared the new facilities and additional visitors' vehicles will attract break-ins, which may spill over to the neighboring homes. They also expressed doubts that local people would benefit much from jobs at the retreat center.

"In the past 30 years, the Catholic Church has bought up 45 acres in and around the Santuario," Bal said, adding that discussions have been under way for the church to buy a home a half-mile away. Other residents mentioned that a couple of years ago, the local priest broached the possibility of a basilica being built locally, but no plans have been produced.

While some complain about Chimayo losing tranquility, Martinez told the Journal at the open house that the retreat center was intended to bring some peace and spiritual reflection to people in an increasingly chaotic world.

"Requests to the Santuario have been growing and growing from people who want to stay and get spiritual guidance," he said. "This will do that."