The Pershing County Recreation Board approved funding for a new billboard advertising project during its monthly meeting Thursday, April 2, at Lovelock City Hall. The board also reviewed preparations for the community pool season and discussed possible changes to the distribution of recreation funds.
Board members discussed funding policy changes during a workshop held before the regular meeting.
Board member Mike Mancebo provided an update on the community pool.
Buildings and grounds staff installed ADA-approved rails in the pool restrooms, and officials plan to inspect the rails leading into the pool to determine whether repairs are needed.
Mancebo reported that a newly arrived American Red Cross-certified lifeguard instructor has agreed to conduct training locally, allowing new lifeguards to complete certification in town rather than traveling elsewhere.
He said the city expects 10 to 12 lifeguards this season, including several returning guards, and officials anticipate opening the pool by mid-May as seasonal maintenance continues.
The board approved $30,000 for a billboard advertising project presented by Bonnie Skoglie and Wendy Nelsen of the Marzen House Museum. They are also waiting to hear about a matching Travel Nevada grant.
The funding will cover the rental of two billboards, one at each end of town, including wraps and banner changes designed to promote the museum and other Lovelock attractions and events.
Nelsen said the goal is to encourage Interstate 80 travelers to stop in town rather than pass through.
The board approved $1,000 to support an aviation swap meet planned at Derby Field on April 18 and 19.
Organizer Doug Martin said the funding will help cover catering, insurance, postage and transporting two portable restrooms. He expects about 25 participants during the first year. “We’re going to start small and try to make it big,” he said.
Mayor Rodney Wilcox updated the board on improvements to the pickleball courts.
Wilcox said he received a quote of approximately $14,500 to complete work on the courts.
Members discussed scheduling a special meeting if final quotes arrive soon so that work can begin in late April or early May.
“We should have money in our budget through the capital funds that we set aside for major issues to do that,” Mancebo said. Wilcox added that Coeur Rochester has offered to assist with improvements.
With the upgrades, the board looks forward to possible pickleball tournaments that could bring people to town.
Wilcox also reported that the city has applied for a grant for playground equipment at the strip park and plans to seek support from area mining companies.
Members also discussed complaints about dog waste around the pickleball and tennis court areas and the possible addition of signage or waste bag stations.
During the workshop, board members continued reviewing possible changes to the recreation fund application process.
Proposed changes include requiring applicants to submit itemized budgets, detailed expense reports with receipts and information about other funding sources or fundraising efforts.
Members also discussed reviewing past funding history and possibly establishing limits or waiting periods for organizations that receive large amounts of funding over time.
Board member Jordan McKinney said funding requests may need to be evaluated differently depending on the type of event. “I think that for events that are free to the public and provide a genuine service, it’s okay if they come every single year to ask for support,” McKinney said.
She said longstanding events such as the Parade of Lights, Lovers Aloft and programs organized by Twilight Twinkles provide important community benefits and warrant continued funding. “We don’t want to see those free community events go away,” she said.
Board members also discussed requiring refundable key deposits and updated use agreements for facilities such as McDougal Park.
Board member Connie Gottschalk said the board wants to maintain accountability while keeping facilities accessible to the public.
Upcoming community events include the annual cleanup day scheduled for April 25 and the Music & Murals event on June 18–21. Organizer Lee Ann Gallagher briefly updated the board on both. “We want visitors to see some of the things we think are our diamonds, like the museum, library and those kinds of things. That's our target,” she explained.
The recreation board meets at City Hall on the first Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
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