Fuji users work on new park, fairground plan

The president of the Fuji Park Users Association told members it was no use fighting the city over moving the fairgrounds. While several of the 20 members at the meeting argued the park and fairgrounds need to remain together, Jack Andersen, user group president, told the group they were "wasting our time fighting this."

"I know this isn't easy," he said. "We've got to get our ducks in a

row. If we don't do this, we'll be sitting out here with nothing."

Monday members began to define improvements at Fuji Park and what

they'd like to see at a new fairgrounds. The task comes just more than two weeks after Carson City supervisors opted to examine development opportunities for the fairgrounds off of Old Clear Creek Road, while asking city staff to move forward with improvements to the park.

City officials claim commercial development pressures have prompted

them to consider relocating the park and fairgrounds, giving rise to protests from throughout the community. Mayor Ray Masayko gave a 90-day deadline to work out options for the fairgrounds, including a suitable relocation site and a definition of potential development at the current site.

Because the city has no plans to move the park, the new fairgrounds might not have the grassy area many of the users, such as 4-H and the Bonanza Kennel Club, say is critical to their events.

The group agreed to a conceptual plan to add more turf, paved parking, a playground, new picnic shelter, storage building and restrooms to Fuji Park. The plan assumes commercial development will sit east of the exhibit hall.

The group also agreed that a new fairgrounds should have everything the current fairgrounds has, all of which has been delineated in previous fairground studies including:

-- 120 horse stalls

-- a new arena and warm-up arena

-- grassy area

-- parking, for cars and recreational vehicles.

Without the grass, gatherings such as the Bonanza Kennel Club's annual dog show and 4-H events wouldn't be able to function. Beth Theuret, a leader in the 4-H Carson City and Storey County Area Leader Council, said the 4-H has a few other items to add to the fairgrounds wish list. She said even by keeping Fuji Park whole, the city would need virtually the same facility at the new location for the 4-H to operate properly.

"We keep coming back to this practical solution," agreed Barbara Alexander of the Northern Nevada Gated Horse Club. "It works."

Parks and recreation commissioners in May rejected proposals to move

the park and fairgrounds to one of three sites in east Carson City. But those sites likely will be reconsidered as potential relocation sites for the fairgrounds, said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Kastens.

The Parks and Recreation Commission will begin working on plans for the fairground relocation Tuesday, Sept. 18. Sites including the three east Carson sites and Edmonds Park, will be considered.