View of SALA’s newest and most versatile space ‘The Hill’ now available to the community. Courtesy/SALA

View of SALA’s newest and most versatile space ‘The Hill’ now available to the community. Courtesy/SALA

SALA News:

SALA Event Center has unveiled “The Hill”, its newest and most versatile space, now available for the community to use. This flexible, flat venue is a key part of SALA’s Phase 2 plans to transform the space into an immersive theater experience.

“The Hill” offers a unique environment for various events, from community meetings and workshops to celebrations and corporate functions. It represents a significant step forward in SALA’s vision of creating a versatile, dynamic event center for the people of Los Alamos. Featuring a spacious, flat space measuring 32 feet by 43 feet, this area can comfortably accommodate sit-down meals, lectures, business meetings, parties, dances, receptions, exhibits, intimate performances and more.

The design of “The Hill” makes it the perfect backdrop for any occasion, with options for multiple seating arrangements and custom event setups. “The Hill” is 300 square feet larger and 10 feet wider than the main room at Fuller Lodge and adds another option for private and community gatherings in Los Alamos. It can be utilized in combination with SALA’s other spaces – the New Reel and Roxy theaters, the Social Center, and the large lobby foyer to provide space for even larger events.

What Makes “The Hill” Special?

• Spacious and Adaptable Layout: The Hill’s large, open floor plan is ideal for various events, providing the flexibility to arrange the space in multiple ways to suit your event’s specific needs. Eighty people can be accommodated in a banquet setup, ninety in a classroom setup, and even more in open set-ups for receptions, dances, private movie screenings, and parties. 
• Advanced Amenities: Equipped with high-speed internet, a high-definition projector, HDMI connectivity, a podium, and a full audio system, The Hill offers all the technology needed for a seamless experience, whether for professional presentations, training sessions, or social gatherings. Recording of events and joining together with virtual events in other places are additional possibilities.
• Private and Accessible Space: The Hill and all of SALA are fully accessible to modern standards.  SALA is a private space not subject to governmental restrictions and requirements that apply to use of County and LANL spaces.

Perfect for a Variety of Events:

• Corporate Meetings and Training Sessions: The Hill has everything needed for professional events—high-speed internet, a projector, a podium, and an audio system to facilitate effective communication and presentations.
  
• Social Celebrations and Community Events: The flat, open layout allows for versatile seating arrangements, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations such as birthday parties, anniversaries, dances, performances, receptions, and community festivals.
  
• Workshops and Educational Activities: The ample space and advanced amenities make The Hill an ideal venue for workshops, classes, exercise, and hands-on activities that require room for interaction and movement.  
• Food and Beverage: A variety of options are available. Pizza, snack, soft drink, and coffee services are available directly from SALA. In addition, users of SALA spaces may bring their own food and beverages or arrange for delivery from their favorite local businesses. SALA helps users with their planning as part of the rental process.
• Reasonable Rates: Rental rates for The Hill will start at $100 per hour, which includes seating for 48 and tables. Membership at SALA offers an allocation of free use of SALA spaces. Additionally, membership helps establish a credit for your favorite local nonprofit, enabling them to receive free or reduced-rate rentals.

With this new addition, SALA continues to enhance its offerings to better serve the community’s diverse needs. We are thrilled to move forward with Phase 2 of our development plans, ensuring that SALA remains a central, vibrant part of life in Los Alamos. To learn more about “The Hill” and SALA’s other event spaces, or to inquire about rental opportunities, please visit https://sala.losalamos.com/rental/ or call 505.412.6030.

The community will see the capabilities and the uses of “The Hill” grow over time as SALA continues to carry out its Phase 2 plan (read about future enhancements at SALA at https://sala.losalamos.com/salaproject/#Phase2). When completed, Phase 2 will upgrade “The Hill” with immersive presentation capabilities supporting an even broader range of event possibilities. 

Historical Background: The Hill Theatre

All of the spaces within SALA are named in tribute to the history of the various theaters that have served Los Alamos. The Hill takes its name from the Hill Theatre – our 1950’s era theater.

Originally developed by the Atomic Energy Commission, The Hill Theatre opened on November 9, 1951, in downtown Los Alamos. Unlike a typical government building, it featured a sleek, modern design with room for stores on the second floor and alongside the main entrance. After a brief life of less than four years, The Hill Theatre closed in 1955 and was remodeled into a department store. Most recently, the building was home to CB Fox Department Store and is currently vacant..

Today, as part of SALA Event Center, “The Hill” has been reimagined as a versatile, modern event space, continuing its legacy as a place for gathering and community.

This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners.

“Thanks to Century Bank’s sponsorship of last year’s Oppenheimer Festival, SALA initiated these changes. This year, additional sponsorship from the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) has allowed us to complete this important step, providing a fresh and dynamic space for our community,”  SALA Event Center Owner Allan Saenz said. “Now, through their sponsorship, RDC can utilize ‘The Hill’ free of charge for training, meetings, and workshops. This partnership not only benefits the local community but also supports economic development throughout Northern New Mexico.”

To learn about sponsorship opportunities and partnerships, please visit sala.losalamos.com/corporate.

View of SALA’s newest and most versatile space ‘The Hill’ now available to the community. Courtesy/SALA