This project will complete construction of the multi-purpose community center in Ardmore Park. Larry D. Johnson Community Center Phase I, partially funded by an Economic Development Initiative grant, was completed in Spring 2007 and includes community meeting and class rooms, a teen center (in collaboration with the Boys and Girls club of Truckee Meadows), and recreation facilities.

Phase II will include an expanded main entry and add classrooms and additional meeting rooms. Phase III includes a full gymnasium and expanded recreation, education, and community meeting facilities serving several neighborhoods in west Sparks.These neighborhoods host some of the lowest income households and at-risk children in the city.The center will provide a location for English as a Second Language classes for all ages.

The Purchase of the Emmanuel Community Church will facilitate the construction of a badly needed Olympic size swimming pool along with bleachers.The current church buildings will be used for locker rooms and classrooms.This site can be used with local swim clubs, Sparks High School, and for Sparks Recreation swimming classes.

In conjunction with the Washoe County School District, the City will use its field space at Oppio Park to install 1 open, flat field. The open space at Ardmore Park was lost to the construction of the Larry D. Johnson Community Center. 

The City has wanted to replace the lost open space in Ardmore Park for over 6 years. No funding sources were readily available during the recession. Recently, some land opportunities and possible funding mechanisms have begun to come into play.

Along with replacing programmable turf space, the City has wanted an Olympic size pool facility that the entire west end community could use. The facility would be used by our Parks and Recreation Department to offer swimming lessons, which are so heavily in demand in east Sparks.

The west end doesn't have an indoor Gymnasium that is available to all citizens on a year round basis. This future facility would provide recreational opportunities for equal access for all citizens that do not currently exist in this end of Sparks.

The last time funding for Phase 2 and 3 at LDJCC was requested (2007), the amount was approximately $12,000,000. Until funding sources for the pool can be verified, staff is using the amount of $4,000,000-7,000,000 for the site and the pool building. The open field at Oppio Park will be approximately $200,000.

None

I move to approve and direct the Parks and Recreation Department to pursue funding mechanisms for the Larry D. Johnson Community Center gymnasium, the west end pool construction and the open field at Oppio Park.