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Great Basin superintendent updates board on projects and visitation; board hears remodel timeline and marketing metrics
Summary
Great Basin National Park Superintendent Ashley Adams told the board visitation is up and reviewed cave, campground and trail projects; Director Kyle Horvath described a phased convention‑center remodel with a ~$150,000 construction estimate and presented Placer visitor metrics showing a 45% increase for the Renaissance Faire.
Great Basin National Park Superintendent Ashley Adams briefed the White Pine County Tourism and Recreation Board on Dec. 17, reporting higher visitation than last year and outlining completed and planned projects in and around Lehman Caves.
Adams, joining by Zoom, said the water and sewer line replacement in Lehman Caves and the lower Lehman Creek campground expansion and renovation have been completed. She said the Lehman Caves electrical and lighting replacement project has started and that the Park anticipates having the caves open for the 2026 Memorial Day weekend. "We are still catching up after the longest government shutdown in history," Adams said, and she noted continued reductions in permanent staffing that affect operations capacity. Adams also said the Park’s concession contract expires in February 2027 and that the Park has released a prospectus seeking proposals for a ten‑year concession term.
The board asked operational questions: Member Jason Bath asked whether the road to Lexington Arch had been reopened after flood damage; Adams said a new trailhead with parking is now about a half‑mile from the trailhead. Bath asked when specialized cave tours will be available for sale; Adams said dates have not been set.
On local tourism operations, Director Kyle Horvath updated the board on convention‑center remodel plans, saying architects presented a "champagne plan" and an initial construction estimate around $150,000 that would keep the overall project under $2 million. Horvath described a phased approach to minimize disruption — starting with back rooms and restrooms and spreading construction costs over two years — and said plans will go to the city for review before bidding.
Horvath also presented metrics from the Renaissance Faire at Broadbent Park, saying participation increased about 45% from the prior year and that the board’s Placer report (part of a Travel Nevada grant) highlights out‑of‑area visitation and pre‑/post‑visit patterns. Marketing Manager Porter reported strong social‑media performance (nearly 15,000 followers across platforms as of Dec. 11) and a 1.2% newsletter click‑through rate. Horvath said the board will roll out new 2026 messaging, "Find Yourself in White Pine County," beginning Jan. 1.
Board members thanked Adams and Horvath for the updates. The minutes show the board will revisit strategic goals at its January meeting.
