Imminent Big MAC in Carson City to cost $8.3 million

Goal is for project to be completed by the end of this year

A guaranteed cost of $8.3 million for Carson City’s imminent multi-purpose athletic center project was recommended Tuesday.

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted without dissent to make that recommendation to the Board of Supervisors after hearing from Bill Miles of Miles Construction and Roger Moellendorf, Parks and Recreation Department director. Moellendorf reported the precise price tag in the CMAR-negotiated pact is for $8,315,042.27. The CMAR designation stands for construction manager at risk.

“We’re pretty confident that we’re going to finish this project before the Ormsby House,” Moellendorf joked, though he said in the past he couldn’t make that statement. He said ground breaking, presuming city governing board approval, is set for some time in March. The hope is for completion before the end of 2015.

“Hopefully,” said Miles, “we’ll have a Christmas party there.” There is on Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada land next to that club on Russell Way. City government and club officials will share use agreement for the facility, which will have two collegiate basketball courts overlaying four high school courts. The facility will accommodate volleyball and related types of sports.

The center also will have an second level walking/jogging track and will be built with the possibility in mind of a later expansion.

Funding mainly comes from $6 million in quality of life (Question 18) money previously banked and more than $2 million from the multiple capital improvement projects being financed based on last year’s boost of the city sales tax by an eighth of a penny. Other related projects include an animal shelter, business corridor streetscape improvements — including downtown — and an eventual upgrade for cultural activities at the Carson City Community Center.

In other commission action, members asked staff to take another run at crafting a report regarding a year-long commission review of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and learned the department Moellendorf heads is going to be charged with handling the second fair next summer at Fuji Park. The first one last year was called the Nevada 150 Fair in conjunction with the state’s Sesquicentennial celebration.

Moellendorf said Susan Taylor, last year’s fair manager, would again handle that as a city consultant and Marena Works, former deputy city manager and now with the senior center, would be available for advice. Works spearheaded city government’s role in mounting the first fair.