Commission OKs temporary motocross park

In the end, the bike was bigger than the bark.

After hearing almost three hours of debate, Douglas County commissioners voted 5-0 Thursday to approve a temporary motocross track within howling distance of Douglas County Animal Shelter off Pinenut Road.

More than three dozen speakers ranging from shelter volunteers to American Motorcycle Association hall of famer Dick Mann pitched their arguments to commissioners.

A pledge that the park would be temporary and commissioners' assurances they personally would be at the shelter for the first event to calm the animals helped seal the deal.

"After a trial period if it didn't work, then it didn't work and it needs to go away. That's the position of staff," said Community Services Director Scott Morgan.

Commissioners approved a parks use application for a temporary track to be built on 15-20 acres of county-owned land across from the county fairgrounds, between the animal shelter and the transfer station.

The permit will allow 19 days of use on the track this summer including practice days, five local races, two vintage races and one professional event.

A request for a permanent track would have to come back before the public and board members.

Commissioner Dave Brady said track proponents need to be searching for a permanent location.

"We all hope this is hugely successful, but I expect the process to begin now to locate a permanent location."

Brady said he would be at the shelter and the track to monitor the events.

"You can't expect what you don't inspect," he said. "I'll be out there at the animal shelter and track volunteering."

Racing legend Dick Mann, a Foothill Road resident, said he became interested in motorcycle racing when he "got to high school and realized there was no need for 130-pound centers."

"I do think it's good for the community and a challenge for the community," said Mann, a member of the American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame.

"We have young kids in the area who have the talents to go national and international and move forward in a professional sport."

Seventeen-year-old Cole Green told commissioners he had been racing since he was 7.

"Racing has taught me a lot about life. I don't do drugs and I don't do alcohol," he said.

Nick Baugh, 23, a professional racer, said motocross straightened him out.

"I was a bad kid growing up," he said. "I went to a motocross race in Carson City and it changed my life."

He said a designated track would be a safety feature for riders in the area.

"I was shot at once in the sand pits in the Gardnerville Ranchos and injured in a head-on collision on other trails," Baugh said.

Cherie Owen, founder of the Douglas Animal Welfare Group, said her opposition had nothing to do with the sport.

"It's a terrible choice of location. Any professional who works with animals will tell you noise is a big no-no," Owen said.

She said the animals would lose use of their exercise yards because of noise when the track was in use.

"The track may be temporary, but it will have a permanent impact on the dogs," she said.

Shelter volunteer Diana Furness said she was concerned about fire danger and illegal parking.

"No one is on-site overnight at the shelter," she said.

Ruhenstroth resident Barbara Bardecker said she and her neighbors like their quiet lifestyle.

"We have enough noise. We want to just enjoy our beautiful valley," Bardecker said.

Proponents said motocross racers would bring in $1 million to the economy. They promised the track would be fenced and leveled once the racing season was over.

"It's a new revenue stream when our budget is challenged," said Commissioner Mike Olson. "I remember the opposition to the skateboard park, and it keeps our kids out of trouble. This is a temporary project. I am willing to support it. No way, shape or form will you lose my support for DAWG (Douglas Animal Welfare Group). I will be at the shelter to help comfort the animals."

ON THE WEB

Nevada Motocross Park

www.nevadamotocrosspark.com