Mormon fort falls to staff shortage

Monday, Dec. 19, 2005 | 8:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park will be closing on Sundays because of a staff shortage.

David Morrow, administrator of the state Parks Division, said he hopes it is only a temporary closure.

"We need to put another person in there or find some volunteers," Morrow said Friday.

There are one full-time employee and two seasonal workers, he said. The seasonal workers are spread through the year.

The park receives visits from schoolchildren during the week and needs two people to conduct the tour and to staff the visitor's center, Morrow said. "One person there is impossible," he said.

Allen Biaggi, director of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said Friday, "We need to give the poor guy one day off."

More than 9,000 people visited the fort in 2004, and through October of this year 11,500 had visited.

Morrow said part of that increase could be attributed to the grand opening of the visitor's center in June to mark the 150th anniversary of the first settlement of Mormons.

About 3,700 people attended the grand opening for the center that has interpretative pieces and early history of Las Vegas.

Biaggi said "staffing is tight for state parks" statewide. Biaggi said he was looking at staffing in Southern Nevada and may be able to move some people around to keep the park open on Sundays.

Morrow noted that he would not be able to get a new employee until the 2007 Legislature.

Morrow said there was a small group called "Friends of the Old Mormon Fort." And he said the division will be looking for volunteers to help.