Developer says he's committed to improving Fuji Park

Developer Kevin Coleman suggested several improvements to Fuji Park, including a Civil War-era cemetery, to the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Authority on Wednesday.

Coleman, developer of Minden Village and owner of Net Development and K&S Properties, bought the old Bodine's restaurant and trailer park at the south end of Carson County with plans to build a 33,000-square-foot casino, bar and restaurant.

He called the nearby park an eyesore, but said the completion of his casino is not contingent upon the improvements.

"The casino has self-contained parking and services," Coleman said. "The casino doesn't need anything from the park but I can't let it stay the way it is. It's atrocious."

And he's willing to put his money where his mouth is.

"I'm committed to write a pretty large-sized check to make this happen."

Coleman presented plans to improve street frontage, move and replace barns and to create more arenas and parking for the 25-acre area that includes an outdoor arena, multipurpose barns, urban fishing pond, exhibit hall, a 4.5-acre Clear Creek Stream environment zone, the Civil War-era cemetery, nature walk and horse trail.

He proposed a stocked fishing pond, which is already funded by a grant from the state, improvements on the existing 400-square-foot exposition hall and the possibility of covered arena to create more indoor space.

Coleman suggested a full-time marketing person to handle promotion of the area.

"We should start events that people would come to every year. They would frequent all of our businesses."

Coleman said golf is a big draw in the area but there are other functions that could make Fuji Park a center of activities people will want to attend.

"Make it an outdoor event, rodeo arena," he said. "Have more long-term events on a regular basis. People spend money on horse events and are running out of places to hold them. There are people out there who are willing to stop up and pay for these services."

He said the improvements on the park and pond could go right now.

"The money arrangement is such that the city will acquire the product and I provide the labor," said Coleman.

He said it would take eight to nine months to a maximum of one year to do the park improvements but a long-term commitment is needed to make and keep the park self-sufficient and maintained.

"It could go on today, but why do it if there's no future?" he said. "I don't want to fix it up and let it go. I know the park will be utilized but putting money out with no return is a waste of funds."