Parks & Rec commission approves capital improvement budget

Carson City’s Parks and Recreation Commission Wednesday night approved a capital improvement project budget under $750,000 and heard a report on multi-purpose activity center plans.The center, also known as the MAC, may start being constructed this year near the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada building, 1870 Russell Way, but final design awaits an overture for additional help.Parks and Recreation Department Director Roger Moellendorf said he is submitting short-form proposals for financing help from the Hop and Mae Adams Foundation, which is managed by Steve Neighbors.“He expressed some interest in the project,” Moellendorf told commissioners. He said Neighbors wants brief proposals to consider.Neighbors’ help might provide financing that would ensure a walking track along with gymnasiums, a combination commissioners say is crucial so everyone can use the athletic facility.The MAC project wasn’t part of the commission-approved capital improvement project (CIP) budget because it is financed via Question 18 Quality of Life Initiative money. Bonds already were issued for the project, which will cost nearly $6 million.The Fiscal Year 2013-14 CIP proposal included $746,886, with $117,590 of it for resurfacing of the city’s 50-meter pool and gutter system, plus $164,586 for theater seating replacement.Moellendorf said CIP budgets were requested by City Manager Larry Werner, though final decisions await whether sufficient revenues will allow many capital improvements next fiscal year.The one-year and five-year CIP proposals approved by commissioners total $2.89 million, but Moellendorf urged members to focus just on the one-year plan. Commissioners did, however, ask that restroom facilities be added to the longer-term CIP proposal for Long Ranch Park on the west side. Members also re-elected Sean Lehmann chairperson, Janice Brod vice-chairperson, and heard a report on Arlington Square Ice Rink in the Nugget Casino parking lot area, which is nearly $18,000 in the black.