Boys & Girls Club lays out 3‑phase sports and events center plan, seeks county feedback and fundraising support

Rusty Barr, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeastern Nevada, presented the commission with floor plans and a phased financing plan for a proposed sports and events center for Elko County.

Barr described the facility as a flexible events center — not a single‑use arena — with hardfloor space that would host concerts, rodeos and equestrian events, and community recreation. He said the core configuration would include roughly 34,000 square feet of floor space in early designs, seating capacity of about 5,588, and the ability to accommodate additional floor patrons on temporary seating or standing floor space for large events.

Barr told commissioners the project is being developed by the Boys & Girls Club nonprofit, governed by its board, and would include non‑compete language in agreements so long‑established local events are not displaced. He said one site is secured from the city and about 40 additional acres are close to being secured; the club is pursuing lease and lands‑bill options while aiming for eventual ownership.

On costs and phasing, Barr said Phase 1 is estimated at roughly $23 million (his estimate) and the organization’s combined fundraising target for multiple phases is in the high‑$20‑million range (Barr referenced about $29 million for Phase 1–3 together). He reported the club already has a $15 million special‑fund pledge and about $580,000 in early community donations, with additional donor outreach under way.

Barr highlighted facility features intended for local use year‑round: multiple concession and catering kitchens, family‑style restrooms, locker rooms, security and first‑aid rooms, a VIP area, outdoor courtyard and large vendor/parking areas, and modular portable bleachers to avoid permanently paying for seating that would be underused. He also described mitigation steps for rodeo use (plywood underlayment, drainage, power‑wash stations) to protect a sealed performance floor.

Commission discussion focused on review time and next steps. Barr said he did not expect an immediate approval and asked commissioners to review the plans, provide comments, and expected to return with a final plan after collecting feedback. Several commissioners praised the economic potential — heads‑in‑beds, hotel and restaurant benefits — while others stressed the need for time to evaluate plans and funding commitments before the county would be asked to take any formal action.

The presentation generated questions about naming rights, accessibility for community programming, and how the nonprofit would address operating risk; Barr emphasized the nonprofit would operate the facility and said he did not expect county taxpayers to be on the hook if the project failed.