Organizers: Motocross worth $400,000

The first season of Nevada Motocross Park pumped $400,000 into the Douglas County economy, organizers told the county commission Thursday.

"We met or exceeded every requirement expected of us," said Bill Chernock, executive director of the Carson Valley Visitors Authority.

Chernock said Friday that Nevada Motocross Park plans to seek another permit for the 2010 season at the same site near the Douglas County Fairgrounds and the animal shelter.

"From the beginning of this process, I had thought the county was remarkably clear that 'temporary' did not mean one year, but could mean two or even three. This first year would be the test. We think the test was very positive," Chernock said.

He said the search was on for a permanent location.

"We understand that this is not a permanent location," Chernock said. "There are a lot of people looking for and seeking a location that could be permanent. At the same time, we think the first year was successful and we want to maintain the momentum."

The application process will face scrutiny by the Parks and Recreation Commission and commissioners as it did this year.

Chernock said Nevada Motocross Park LLC would seek permission to operate races in the spring and fall, and not in the summer.

"There won't be any great increase in the number or frequency of events," he said.

Before the track opened, proponents estimated the economic impact would be closer to $1 million.

Chernock told commissioners motocross tracks in the region reported a 25-35 percent drop in activity due to the economy. In addition, the Gardnerville park was new, summer isn't the typical racing season and the late spring approval meant the track and its events weren't included on long-term calendars, he said.

"We're not unhappy, we're encouraged," Chernock said Friday. "I was out there a lot and the feedback from the participants, especially the locals, was that they were grateful that they didn't have to go to Fernley or Winnemucca to do their sport. They were impressed with the facility, especially for its first year."

Community Services Director Scott Morgan said his staff also was working on a site, but it was too early in the process to identify locations.

"We're not ready to publicly review these sites," Morgan said. "There will be an extensive public input process. Right now it's at the staff level."

Morgan said he spent a lot of time at the events, along with other county officials, monitoring noise, dust, traffic, and concerns of residents in the Ruhenstroth area and volunteers at the animal shelter.

"The events themselves were great. The location is not suitable permanently for that activity," Morgan said. "As a temporary site, it worked, but you can't permanently locate these types of things near where people live.

"A lot of people said, 'well, there's already noise at that location,' but one new noise is one too many. We have never advocated for a long-term site at that location."

Commissioners took no public comment Thursday, but said they each had received dozens of e-mails, phone calls, and letters regarding the site.

"The theme of most of them was that we were using way, way too much of Ruhenstroth's water," said Commissioner Greg Lynn.

Morgan told the board the water was pumped from a well behind Merrill Gardens and the Carson Valley Medical Center and was not an additional cost to the department, nor did it impact Ruhenstroth's water supply.

"Regardless of where we put the track, it will use the same amount of water. We're working dligently on a permanent site," he said.

Chernock said 600,000 gallons of water was used which, if purchased, would cost between $540-$1,800 depending on the purveyor.

Steve Brown, one of the principals of Nevada Motocross Park, said rumors that the organization made huge profits were exaggerated.

"I bankrolled the whole project," he said. "It cost me $13,000 just to fence the track."

Commissioner Nancy McDermid said she was supportive of the project and had been to all the events.

"Even in a down economy, that $400,000 is money in our community that wouldn't have been there without the track," McDermid said.

"I think it can grow," she said. "You'll need more than 15 acres. I encourage you to continue on. Hopefully, we can find that permanent location."