Commission to hear options on Dayton Community Center

It would be cheaper to build a new, simple structure elsewhere in Dayton to replace the Community Center than to restore the original.

That's the preliminary opinion of Lyon County engineer Dick Faber, who will be presenting a number of options at Thursday's commission meeting.

The center was closed Oct. 19 after the county manager received a structural report from Hyytinen Engineering that indicated unreinforced masonry, a lack of connections tying the masonry to the roof and flooring and deteriorating mortar could lead to injury or loss of life should an earthquake occur while the building was occupied.

The community center held offices for the Parks division, Human Services, Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties and Central Lyon Youth Connections as well as the Dayton food bank and bread bank. In addition, classes in martial arts, dance and other activities were held for youth and adults, and many nonprofit groups held meetings at the center.

The Hyytinen report estimates the cost of repairing the building to be about $2.1 million. Faber has suggested the commission consider building a new structure near Como Park or near the senior center, or possibly purchasing an existing structure.

County manager Dennis Stark said he and Faber met with Comstock Historic District administrator Bert Bedeau last week to discuss alternatives.

Bedeau said that although the law provided for demolition under certain conditions, there was no risk of the center being demolished.

"Nobody is interested in tearing the building down," he said.

Bedeau recommended a second assessment by Melvyn Green and Associates of California, which has done restorative work on the Carson City Mint, the Bluestone Building in Dayton and other historic Nevada buildings.

"He (Green) in many circumstances has been able to come up with reasonably affordable alternatives that still meet code," Bedeau said.

Bedeau also said there were grant opportunities to offset the cost of the work, from both state and federal sources and private foundations.

Green said he read the report and called it a good one, but added it did not go into a step-by-step plan of action.

"I thought the report summarized the issues very well," Green said.

He said less costly methods to strengthen old unreinforced masonry and still provide life safety were available and were used at the Bluestone Building and the Carson City Mint. He also suggested phasing in repairs as finances permitted.

County Commissioner Bob Milz has said the county commission was not aware the engineering study was ordered, but since it was done, liability issues required the building be closed.

Who ordered the study that resulted in closure of the building is in dispute. Although Milz said he thought it might have been previous County Manager Donna Kristaponis, he added that he was not certain.

Kristaponis, who became county manager in July 2004, denied ordering the report, which was begun in 2005.

Former Parks Supervisor Jannette Hoffert denied ordering the report, saying she lacked the authority to order such a thing. She did say she was prepared to help work to save the building.

Others mentioned were Jack Mosby, facilities manager, who was on a hunting trip and unavailable for comment; or former Public Works Director Chuck Swanson, who could not be located.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.

If You Go

WHAT: Lyon County Commission meeting

WHEN: 9 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: 27 S. Main St., Yerington

CALL: 463-6531