Sports Illustrated honors sports, recreation programs in Henderson

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, May 19, 2004 | 12:49 p.m.

Henderson is receiving nationwide recognition for its community sports programs in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated.

The magazine named Henderson the Sports Illustrated Sportstown for Nevada, an honor city officials said validates their efforts and recognizes the quality of recreational opportunities in the city.

"You can always say how wonderful you are, but when someone else does, it's validation," Councilwoman Amanda Cyphers said. "It's just a feather in our cap."

Cyphers said increasing recreational opportunities is part of the city's effort to improve the quality of life for city residents. She also noted that the honor is not the first national recognition for Henderson's parks and recreation. The city received the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Administration in 1999.

Dirk Richwine, assistant director of the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department, said: "It's a great recognition of the investment the city has made ... in the training and quality of our programs."

Richwine said the city's instructional programs for parents and coaches, plus background checks for adults involved with youth sports, make Henderson stand out.

Rick McCabe, a Sports Illustrated spokesman, also mentioned the background checks as a positive aspect of Henderson's sports programs, which he also said were impressive because there are activities available for all ages and ability levels.

A story on the Sports Illustrated Web site about Henderson mentioned the Multigenerational Center and Aquatic Complex, which opened in February 2003; a 26,000-square-foot city skate and roller park, and the wide variety of programs offered -- "everything from 'pint-sized soccer' for the very young, to senior adult softball (for the still 'young at heart')," the article said.

Richwine said the city spends about $800,000 a year on sports programs. That expenditure is offset, although not completely, by about $450,000 in income from program fees, he said.

Sports Illustrated representatives will be in Henderson June 5 to formally present the award to city officials, McCabe said.

The national sports magazine is in the midst of a series of special sections on each of the 50 states. The special sections look at each state's top athletes, sports moments, and other sports-related information.