UPDATE (9/12/17): The Board approved unanimously today the agreement to lease the land to Reno Ice.
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The Washoe Board of County Commissioners is expected on Tuesday to consider an lease agreement for a new indoor ice rink in South Reno.
The community facility is being pushed by a non-profit, the Greater Reno Community Ice Skating Association (Reno Ice).
The agreement before the commissioners will give the go-ahead for an estimated $7.4 million rink at the Washoe County South Valleys Regional Park on what is now bare ground at the park’s sports complex. That amount is for phase one of the project and will build a National Hockey League-sized ice rink. A second phase could mean a second Olympic-sized rink, depending on demand.
Reno Ice said it has $2 million in funding, a donation from the Sean and Jennifer O’Neal Family Foundation, for phase one.
Joel Grace, president of Reno Ice, said that construction will begin once about 80-percent of the fundraising goals have been met.
“If one of the donors we’re talking to writes a check, we can begin construction,” he said. “We haven’t been able to fund-raise because we haven’t controlled the property.”
The agreement will allow the non-profit to lease the land for $1 a year from the county. The group has already put forward $20 for the lease’s 20-year term.
Washoe County’s Dave Solaro said that the project benefits the community, but it has taken some time to iron out the agreement.
“The Reno Ice group came to us, and we have a unsolicited proposals policy,” he said. “Part of that is to make sure that Washoe County taxpayers are protected at the end of the day.”
Negotiations entailed creating a master plan, and making sure the facility fits with the character of the park, he said. “Unfortunately it’s one those processes that takes time.
“The community members within Washoe County get now what we as the government can’t provide to them,” Solaro added. “We get the benefit of having a regional facility that we don’t put maintenance dollars into or staff time, really. It’s another recreational opportunity for the community.”
The rink will be open to the public.
According to the group, “Reno Ice will offer the Northern Nevada community various programs such as private lessons, public ice skating sessions, hockey leagues, broomball, curling, trade shows, tournaments, performances, figure skating, private parties and special events on and off of the ice.”
Reno Ice is comprised of community leaders, including Grace of Reno Land, Inc. Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and Washoe Commissioner Bob Lucey serve as advisors.
CORRECTION: The original figure for the facility was reported as $4.4 million. According to Washoe County documents, the estimated cost is $7.4 million.
