Parks & Recreation Commission asks City Supervisors Tuesday to apply for federal stimulus funds to build the indoor recreation center
Acknowledging that sales tax collections have fallen so low that the City is no longer in a position to float bonds to pay for a new indoor recreation center next to the Boys and Girls Club, City Parks and Recreation Commissioners decided to try applying for federal stimulus funds to get them out of their financial jam. They say they need $15 million to do the project right, so that’s what they want the Board of Supervisors to officially ask the federal government for. $15 million. Senator Reid would be the obvious window of opportunity if there is any opportunity at all. Several things are going-for the proposal. It would create a lot of construction jobs. It would enhance Carson City’s tourism and family draw. And the indoor rec center is shovel-ready. Magic words: “Shove Ready!”
Commissioner and City Supervisor Molly Walt, who has appeared consistently opposed to the project, said even if it got built, it would be too expensive to operate. But Parks Director Roger Moellendorf said if Carson City got the $15 million, the center would include a splash pad whose revenues alone would generate all the operating revenues required for the whole center. In the past, Walt has favored building a standard gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club on Northgate and then using the rest of the money in the Question 18 account for other projects. However, the commission voted overwhelmingly to send the application for federal stimulus money to the Board of Supervisors for what is hoped will be their concurrence and official submittal to the federal government. There was no estimate on how long the city would have to wait for an answer.