Through federal funds allocated to the City of Winnemucca from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), there have been multiple projects earmarked for use of the funds, including additions to the recreation park located in east Winnemucca surrounding the splash pad.
The Winnemucca City Council adopted updates to the Recreation Complex Master Plan at its most recent meeting on Jan. 9 with all members present.
The updated plan includes the proposal to use $1 million of the ARPA funds for an amphitheater, pickleball courts, resurfacing of tennis courts, and a pump track (a track for biking) at the recreation park, which will fall under the explicit guidelines for what the money can be used for.
The city was originally allocated just over $10.4 million and has used the other funds for major sewer and water projects, paving, broadband mapping and other important projects around the city that are mostly completed.
According to estimates, the amphitheater will cost approximately $350,000, the construction of the pickleball courts will cost $125,000, the resurfacing of the tennis courts will cost $50,000, and the pump track will cost $475,000.
The Council was originally discussing constructing an urban pond before a pump track was suggested, but Mayor Stone explained that there are significant liabilities and barriers that would come with the pond, including mosquitos.
City Manager Alicia Heiser explained that she had been approached by many members of the community who suggested a pump track would be useful for the large mountain biking community in Winnemucca. Its proximity to the popular Bloody Shins trail is also likely to make it useful in the area.
Councilman Mike Owens said that he is very supportive of the addition of a pump track because it would also be low maintenance.
Also included in the Recreation Plan are other courts for basketball, volleyball, walking trails, horseshoe pits, a fitness park, a youth league baseball complex, and more, including a new aquatics center.
Funding for the new aquatics center, which is likely to cost tens of millions of dollars according to officials, is still yet to be secured, however designs for the center are underway.
Heiser explained to the Council that the consultants working on the design from KNIT architecture will have an update for the final design plan soon and it will be presented at a public meeting.
The City has been working on creative approaches to funding the actual construction of the aquatics center, including a temporary recreation tax, which has been turned down by voters on the local ballot twice before.
Major issues with the broiler at the Bode Howard Memorial Swimming Pool — which is currently closed until parts for the broiler can be replaced —as well as other structural problems render it at risk for permanent closure until a new facility can be constructed.
Public Works Director Tom Heikkila told the Council that the appropriate parts for the broiler are on order but it will take some time for them to arrive and it could take weeks for the pool to reach a comfortable temperature again once the parts are replaced, as just a few gallons of water can be heated at a time to get it up to temperature.
Councilwoman Theresa Mavity said that she is thankful that the parts for the broiler are still available because of its age, which may inhibit further repairs in the future.