The Winnemucca Boys & Girls Club/Recreation Complex is moving forward and has successfully raised the funds needed for Phase I of the project, which was to have the infrastructure in place for the complex. The board is now raising funds for Phase II of the project which is to bring the Boys & Girls Club and Recreation Center to the complex.
This phase is projected at $6.5 million dollars. The proposed Recreation Center will consist of a gymnasium, fitness center, administration space, child-watch area, and multi-purpose room with kitchen. The gymnasium will be a regulation-sized court with a suspended walking track and will have a stage and seating for major events. A kitchen will be attached to the gym and multi-purpose room to host community functions. The new fitness center is designed for youth through senior citizens and will include cardiovascular equipment, premier weight circuit, and free weight area for a total body workout. A child-watch area will be attached for young children while the parents are using the Recreation Center.
The new Boys & Girls Club is attached to the new Recreation Center and includes a STEM Center, game room and fine arts center. The premier STEM Center will be used by the high school during the day for their technology advancement classes and the Boys & Girls Club children after school. The technology center comes complete with computer lab, recording studio, media lab, photography, science & mathematics, engineering, and movie productions. This new center will also be the headquarters for the Boys & Girls Clubs education program. The Boys & Girls Club recognizes that quality recreation is essential to overall happiness and is presenting to have high energy game room to entertain Winnemucca's youth for generations to come. The fine arts center is a state-of-the-art facility with top-level equipment necessary to provide arts for Winnemucca's youth. The Boys & Girls Club will also have shared use of the gymnasium and multi-purpose room giving us state-of-the-art resources to develop our youth.
To clarify some information on the project, you will find specific questions noted below:
There are two taxes on this year's ballot? What is the difference?
Proposed tax question number one is a margin tax which would be paid only by businesses on gross receipts of sales. Proposed tax question number two would add a very small sales tax to generate revenues to be used only for recreation. The majority of counties in Nevada have passed this recreation tax to improve their community and has been available to use in our county for a long time but has never been put on the ballot. The passage of Question Two would give the county commissioners the ability to pass an ordinance to institute the recreation tax for a maximum period of 30 years. Please vote yes to County Question No. 2.
How will the Recreation Tax question appear on the ballot this November?
COUNTY QUESTION NO. 2 - Shall Humboldt County be authorized to impose an additional one-quarter of one percent (0.25 percent) of sales and use tax collected in the county to be used to acquire, develop, construct, equip, operate, maintain, improve and manage parks, recreational programs and facilities, or any combination of those purposes? The tax will be in addition to the 6.85% sales and use tax which is currently levied in Humboldt County on the gross receipts from personal property sold at retail, or stored, used or consumed in the county. This question must be approved by a majority of the registered voters voting upon this question before the additional tax may be levied by the Board of County Commissioners.
Is Sales Tax the same as Property Tax?
The current State sales tax of 6.85 percent is collected on all goods that are sold in Humboldt County with the exception of food sales (which are not taxed). The proposed recreation tax would increase the sales tax rate in Humboldt County by 0.25 percent to 7.10 percent and would add a quarter (25 cents) to each $100 in sales. The mining industry through large equipment purchases, as well as out of town visitor purchases, would generate a large portion of the recreation tax revenues. This initiative would have no impact on our current property tax rate.
Does this project have long-term sustainability?
The proposed sales tax would generate funds that can be used only for recreation and would secure long-term sustainability. Currently, recreation competes for funding with other government functions such as public safety and public works.
How will this tax affect the golf course and the performing arts center?
The proposed recreation tax revenue cannot be used for golf course facilities or performing arts facilities, but it may indirectly free up funds for these purposes. The recreation complex's master plan includes an amphitheater facility, however.
The proposed Boys & Girls Club/ Recreation Complex will only serve youth, why should I vote yes? What is in it for me?
This new complex offers services for infants through senior citizens including child-watch, Boys & Girls Club services, health & wellness, senior exercise, indoor walking, group fitness classes, personal training, school district technology center, community functions and parties, youth & adult recreation and sporting opportunities, education services, and senior citizen activities.
Is the Boys & Girls Club part of the initial project?
Yes, the Boys and Girls Club is one of the top project priorities and is designed in the same phase with the Recreation Center.
What is the cost of this project?
The cost of this project is $9,570,000 which includes land acquisition, multi-use fields, Boys & Girls Club and Rec Center. It is important to understand that a long-term site plan has been developed that may require additional resources in the future when community need demands expansion. Long range future expansions could be the possibility of a baseball/softball complex, aquatic center, etc.
Is the hospital receiving financial gain through land sales or partnerships?
It is important to understand that the hospital is in support of this project and views it as a great addition to our community but is not part of the project model and is not setup to receive any financial gain through land sales or other sources related to this project.
Are there only soccer fields on the complex in Phase I?
No, the fields being developed are multi-purpose fields that may be used by several community organizations for football, soccer, and other sport and recreational uses.
The group will be holding a community forum to answer any questions the community may have and to update them on the project on Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Winnemucca Inn. Everyone is welcome![[In-content Ad]]
