Workshops set to discuss planned recreation center

While waiting for a word on where a proposed $6.2 million recreation center will be located, Carson City Parks and Recreation officials want to share what they've got planned so far with the public, and get more ideas from residents.

Two public workshops are planned for next week, 6:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday at Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Officials plan to work whatever they learn into their next presentation to parks and recreation commissioners.

Parks and Recreation Director Roger Moellendorf said he would like to move as quickly as possible on the recreation center, because the cost of construction is steadily increasing while the money allotted for the project isn't.

But, he said, he's going to hold off on taking the proposal to commissioners a third time until after he gathers more information.

"We are going to wait until we have a sufficient number of public meetings before we bring it back," he said.

The city's parks department is proposing the center, to be built with funds approved by a citywide vote in 1996, be located at Mills Park. But several commissioners are wary of replacing grass and trees with another building. Parking and traffic concerns have also kept the proposal from passing through the commission to city supervisors.

Moellendorf said the other 15 or so Carson City sites that could accommodate a recreation center would also present a slew of problems. Overall, he said, the "synergy" created by having the recreation center next to the Carson City Aquatic Center trumps the benefits of other possible sites.

At a parks and recreation meeting earlier this month, several commissioners intimated they support the Mills Park site but want more information before voting for it.

n Contact reporter Cory McConnell at cmcconnell@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.