NLV rec center OK to be revisited

Diana Sahagun

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.

North Las Vegas City Council members Wednesday will vote whether to reverse their vote from a previous meeting to move forward with plans for a new recreation center.

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith requested the vote. Reached this morning, she said she has concerns about the council opting for a more expensive design that would add $2.8 million to the cost of building the center.

"Why spend more money and be further behind when we have lots of other pressing needs," Smith said, adding that the city should still go forward with a previous concept that would cost $5 million.

At the April 5 meeting the members voted to sign a $414,000 agreement with the firm that designed the Black Mountain Recreation Center in Henderson, setting a timetable of 18-20 months for final construction.

Councilman John Rhodes cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns with the cost of the center that is planned for Allen Lane and Alexander Road in North Las Vegas.

Originally the $5 million center was going to be modeled on the Desert Breeze Recreation Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road, using its specifications and architect, Lucchesi Galati Architects Inc.

But last month the members agreed to switch to HSA Architects, who designed the Black Mountain Center. Choosing a new concept and architect meant the project, conceived as a 22,000-square-foot center, would grow to 41,000 square feet and cost approximately $7.8 million.

Smith said at the last meeting that even though she had agreed to proceed with the Black Mountain concept, she had not realized the center would increase by more than $2 million.

Council member Shari Buck said Thursday she is sticking to her original belief that the Black Mountain concept will better suit the residents.

"We need to have a vision for the future, not just build something that as the doors are opened today, tomorrow it's already too small," she said. "The direction we're going is the best direction with keeping the best interests of the citizens in mind."

She added that staff has already pointed out ways to fund the remaining cost of the center, by completing the swimming pool and off-site improvements in phases.