IVGID Recreation Center Expansion/Remodel

The Duffield Foundation has graciously offered to pay for a huge expansion to IVGID’s rec center, housing a new gymnasium, gymnastics club and youth center. However, in the rush to move this project along, questions remain that have not been addressed.

Is this what the community wants?

The Duffield Foundation is footing most of the bill for new construction, so they have pretty much been calling the shots. The expansion meets a few of the needs listed in the CS Master Plan, but does not address others which were given higher priority in the plan/surveys. Gymnastics was not even envisioned in the Master Plan. It’s interesting to note that in the 2017 survey, only 30% of respondents either strongly supported or somewhat supported an additional gymnasium, while 56% supported a warm water pool. The CS Master Plan identified the need for a warm water pool (“to address the conflicting needs of aquatic users”). The expansion plan includes a new gymnasium, but has no provisions for a warm water pool. The “remodel” of existing space (to be paid for by IVGID/property owners) includes a massage studio (93% of the 2017 survey respondents said they had never used IVGID massage services). The “spin room” in the remodeled existing structure is still labeled “multi-purpose”, so it does not solve the problem of having to move this equipment. The CS Master Plan identified the need for a 1500 sq.ft. aerobics/dance studio, larger fitness/weight room, and dedicated spin room, but none of these are included in the 33000 sq ft expansion or the remodel.

 What about maintenance costs?

Is there a long-term plan to pay for maintenance of the expansion? The primary use of the new facility will be to house a Boys and Girls Club/Youth Center and gymnastics club. Will these costs be shared proportional to occupancy/use?

Why doesn’t Washoe County or Washoe County School District house/support a Boys and Girls Club here?

Most of the Boys and Girls Clubs in our area are either built on the club’s own land or housed in school facilities. Although the Incline Elementary School after school program was run by the Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, and Hug High School houses a Boys and Girls Club run Teen Center, WCSD apparently will not have/continue such arrangements here. The Boys and Girls Clubs are not primarily focused on recreation*. They have programs for nutrition, education, and many areas that are not within the powers/responsibility of IVGID. We do not receive funding from our property taxes to provide these services that should be provided by the County and/or the school district.

What part of the facility will be available for IVGID programs and staff? What days/hours?

Part of the facility is dedicated to a Gymnastics Club, so only available for that purpose. Is there a schedule or designation of what part(s) of the expansion will be available for IVGID use?

How can a Boys and Girls Club be built on deed restricted land?

As mentioned above, the BGC provides much more than recreation. Even though the IVGID parcel is deed restricted for recreation ONLY, IVGID has not filed a court action to modify that restriction, exposing the District and the BGCNLT to legal challenges.

Can another level be included in the plan to address some of the needs mentioned in the CS Master Plan?

The Tahoe Area Plan includes the IVGID Rec Center parcel in a town center tourist regulatory zone. If the site meets certain TRPA requirements, the height may accommodate a third or fourth floor. Has this been ruled out? Adding another story would seem to be the most cost- effective way to meet needs for additional square footage, e.g. perhaps a warm water pool.

When will IVGID have a survey to determine priorities?

IVGID has done a number of separate master plans over the last 5 years for the Beaches, Community Services, and Ski. However, it has never allowed the public to prioritize projects among the literally millions of dollars of proposed improvements. Bonds are becoming much more costly, but a likely scenario now that constructions costs are so inflated. It’s time for IVGID to survey the residents and property owners to determine just which of these projects should be funded in the next 5 to 10 years. Competing projects are already vying for space on the Rec Center parcel. If the gymnasium, youth center and gymnastics club are not community priorities, they will take the space that might be used for a higher priority project. Although we appreciate the generosity of the Duffield Foundation, it should still be up to the community to make the ultimate decision on what facilities are to be built on our community owned lands.

*”The youth center will house out-of school programs for children in elementary school through high school. Members of the youth center will participate in five (5) core program areas which include: Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, Sports, Fitness and Recreation, The Arts and Character and Leadership Development.”= IVGID staff memo, 4/27/2022 BOT packet p. 164