Family Entertainment Center Planned for Cascades

CARLSBAD, NM, June 2015 – The Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to sell a portion of the Cascades at Carlsbad to Cascade Entertainment, LLC, which will develop the property to include a 44,000 square foot Family Entertainment Center, a hotel and a number of retail shops. The new facility, which will include five state of the art theater auditoriums, 12 modern bowling lanes, a laser tag arena, an adult and children’s arcade, and a sports grill/restaurant, will serve as the anchor attraction in the Cascades, a mixed-use open-air retail center on the banks of the Pecos River.

The Cascades is the brain-child of former Carlsbad Mayor and CDOD President Bob Forrest. Forrest has contributed significant personal resources in the project, which broke ground nearly 10 years ago, and remains committed to its completion.

Amit Bhakta, president of Cascade Entertainment, LLC, stated that he and his partners, James Waters and Henry Waters, were pleased with the arrangement with the CDOD and are excited about the opportunity to bring a Family Entertainment Center to Carlsbad, along with a hotel and other retail shops. 

“The location along the Pecos River for this venue will create a unique market area in the community that family members and visitors to Carlsbad will enjoy,” said Bhakta.

At least one of the movie theaters will have a large format screen.

“Carlsbad has needed a place where the community, especially the youth, could enjoy a number of entertainment activities,” said James Waters. “This center will provide the community with a wholesome and safe environment.”

“One thing folks continue to seek and I am asked about are more entertainment options in and around Carlsbad,” said Jay Jenkins, President of the CDOD. “It is exciting to be a part of a project in which two local families decide to put their community hat on and spearhead a local development built on local private donations and public state and federal grants to create an entertainment venue for the entire community of Carlsbad and Southeast New Mexico to enjoy.”

The proposed center will also offer several party/meeting rooms.  The design will be such that additional theater auditoriums and bowling lanes can be added in the future.   

“I came to Carlsbad three years ago looking to build this project,” said Henry Waters. “We have engaged an architect that specializes in the design of family entertainment centers.  Our time line is to have the plans completed and be under construction within 75 days, with a completion date of May 1, 2016. I am glad it’s finally happening, and I’m happy for Carlsbad.”

Henry also added the group’s appreciation for the work the CDOD staff has, and continues to do, to bring this project to fruition.

The Cascades at Carlsbad is an outdoor marketplace featuring over 600,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, entertainment, and office space available. The Cascades is a shovel ready site, unlike anything in New Mexico, with water features inspired by the Riverwalk in San Antonio and some hotels in Las Vegas.

Carlsbad continues its unprecedented market growth, as both industrial and retail sectors are expanding. Carlsbad, in Eddy County, has been leading oil production in the state of New Mexico for three years, and Eddy County continues to rank high in the nation for oil production.

“Along with the new Boutique Airline service connecting Carlsbad to Albuquerque and Dallas/Fort Worth, in addition to all of the new building and developments over the past few years, this entertainment project is the icing on the cake for the community,” said Jenkins. “You couldn’t write a book with a better story and outcome.” 

The Carlsbad Department of Development is a member supported non-profit organization. Members represent over 100 chief executive officers in industry, business and finance, the City of Carlsbad, Eddy County Board of Commissioners, New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and other organizations. The Carlsbad Department of Development is your first contact for business assistance in Carlsbad and Eddy County.