Plans revised for sharing city's proposed athletic complex

The city's plans for sharing a proposed Multi-purpose Athletic Complex with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada have been revised.

The Carson City Parks and Recreation Department agreed Tuesday night that the city should reject a proposed joint use agreement, which could bind both parties up to 50 years, in favor of an annual rental agreement.

"They're concerned about whether they can afford to rent, but that 50-year term really locks you in, and with a rental agreement, we can negotiate annually, and they can adjust to their needs and budget. That gives them some control," said Parks and Recreation Department Director Roger Moellendorf.

Earlier this year, the department presented a new strategy for a scaled-down recreation facility after 2008 plans for a full-blown recreation center were scuttled because of a declining economy and concerns over operation and maintenance costs.

The new plans for a MAC would consist of two full-sized gyms, an elevated and suspended walking/jogging track, lobby, restrooms, women's and men's locker rooms and a control desk. The project would be about 34,000 square feet and cost about $4.5 million.

The new concept for a MAC would satisfy the city's most pressing indoor recreation needs and solve operating and maintenance concerns since it would be a programmed facility rather than a drop-in, so no additional staff would need to be hired other than part-time custodians.

Boys and Girls Club board member Jason Woodbury, who is handling the negotiations with the city on behalf of the club, said he is confident an agreement can be reached.

"The message we tried to convey last night was that it is important to all of us to have a gym built. We have always viewed the city as a partner, and we hope the city views us as a partner," Woodbury said. "There is give and take with any agreement, and we're willing to give as much as we responsibly can, so long as it provides us the opportunity to get our kids into a gym.

Moellendorf said he intends to bring the new proposal to the Board of Supervisors by the Oct. 20 meeting.

The second thing that has changed since the initial proposal is a revised parcel map, he said.

In June 2009, the city paid the club $375,000 for the right to purchase property at the Boys & Girls Club site, located at the corner of Northridge Drive and Russell Way. The option agreement, which included a proposed parcel map, is good for 10 years.

The main difference between the former parcel map and a newly revised map to be presented to supervisors shows the club and city managing separate parking lots.

"We will both only maintain our own property," Moellendorf said. "In the long term, it's in their best interest as well as ours."

The Boys & Girls Club would likely require the use of only one gym, and club hours generally do not conflict with league usage, Moellendorf said.

"The rental rate would be determined based on cost of operation, but we plan to keep it simple and affordable," he said.

The city now rents the community center on East William Street for a variety of recreational and other uses.

MACs traditionally focus on structured athletic programs such as youth and adult sports leagues and tournaments. The complex's large size also is ideal for community events such as craft fairs, gun shows, graduation ceremonies and polling sites.