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Boys & Girls Club updates $20M Elko rec center; council approves lease amendment for pool operations
Summary
The Boys & Girls Club of Northeastern Nevada told Elko City Council the new $20 million recreation center is on track for a Jan. 5 ribbon-cutting and described repairs to the outdoor pool. Council approved a lease amendment to expand the Club’s access to indoor pool, maintenance and parking areas effective Jan. 1, 2026, with LWCF encumbrances noted.
The Boys & Girls Club of Northeastern Nevada briefed the Elko City Council on Tuesday about a nearly finished $20 million recreation center and plans to renovate an outdoor pool, and the council unanimously approved a lease amendment to expand the club’s operation area at the municipal pool.
Rusty Barr, introduced by staff as the club’s representative, said the new center at 602 Country Club Drive is roughly $30,000 under budget and on schedule for an anticipated Jan. 5 ribbon-cutting. He described a large indoor aquatic complex with two pools, a recreation pool with water slides, a fitness center and a teen center funded in part by a $150,000 contribution for naming rights.
Barr said the building was constructed to operate on geothermal energy; hookups and piping are in place and leaders expect the mechanical systems to transition to geothermal shortly after opening. On the outdoor pool, Barr reported a diagnostic process that found the pool losing about 2,000 gallons per day. Camera inspections located the primary leak roughly 5 feet 2 inches under the deck; the club plans heavy repairs and expects the outdoor pool to reopen for summer by May after construction beginning in spring.
Council considered a first amendment to the April 2024 lease that would extend the Boys & Girls Club’s leased area to include the indoor pool, the maintenance building and adjacent parking, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Staff said the language has been reviewed by the state and the National Park Service and complies with Land and Water Conservation Fund encumbrance requirements tied to the property. James (staff) told the council the amendment would allow the club to operate the full facility while a separate conveyance or conversion process — including appraisals and LWCF review — continues.
Councilmembers asked about continuity of services in the event of construction or opening delays. Barr and staff said the lease includes provisions that allow the club to run the current pools if the rec center opening is delayed, preventing service gaps. The council approved the amendment by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize lease documents consistent with LWCF encumbrance conditions and the club intends to communicate schedules and donor recognition to the community before the ribbon-cutting.
