New campus location planned for rec center project

Local officials are interested in moving the site of a proposed recreation center elsewhere on the Western Nevada Community College campus because it might take too long to obtain a necessary portion of land from the state.

The new site would be closer to campus: more eastward, across the street from the Joe Dini Library and western terminus of West College Parkway.

A location north of the campus at the end of Combs Canyon is being considered for a joint-use facility. Seven acres is owned by the college, but the city and college seek roughly three more neighboring acres controlled by the Division of State Lands to adequately house a $16 million rec center.

"The agreed-upon best option was to move the joint recreation center to another location on the campus that could accommodate the facility in its entirety," said Roger Moellendorf, the city's parks director.

This change is going to be presented to Parks and Recreation commissioners during their meeting 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Sierra Room of the Community Center. Members are being asked to recommend the different site to city supervisors.

The site is designated in WNCC's master plan as suitable for development. It was being eyed as the location for a campus arts center by college officials.

Other advantages it has over the Combs Canyon Road site: it needs fewer street and utility improvements, better access from points on campus, and existing parking nearby - all of which could cut costs, Moellendorf said.

It's also closer to existing pedestrian pathways, bicycle lanes and the Jump Around Carson bus service.

The college requires up to $8 million from state legislators to participate in the project. City and college officials are working to convince legislators that the project is worthy of financing. State prison needs have been designated as most urgent funding need during initial discussions about the state budget.

If the college can't raise the money for its share, however, JohnD Winters Centennial Park is designated as an alternative site for the city to operate its own rec site. This plan would cost an estimated $10 million.

While the city could go solo in building a site, operating a second center without a partner would be cost-prohibitive, City Manager Linda Ritter said recently.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

WHAT: Carson City Parks and Recreation meeting

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.

In other business:

A discussion about how the Parks and Recreation Department could cut expenses. The city manager has asked all departments to look for ways to reduce costs because of projected decreases in tax revenue. During the next 18 months, overall revenues are expected to be $4.5 million short if spending for operations continues at its current level.