Fernley leaders consider building convention center

The City of Fernley is undertaking a study to determine the feasibility of building a convention center in town.

Chris Good, Fernley city manager, says members of the Fernley Convention and Tourism Authority have kicked around the idea of adding convention space around for several years. The group recently put out a request for qualifications for firms to conduct a study to determine the possible size, location and market for a convention center in the Lyon County town of about 20,000 residents east of Reno.

Results of the study are due March 1. The proposed convention facility would be built in part through room tax proceeds in Lyon County. Good says there are several suitable locations for the proposed space.

“One of main challenges is finding the appropriate location — that is a big question in our minds,” Good says. “There are advantages of putting the facility near where the restaurants and hotels are, but other locations have advantages too, like access to other facilities such as parks.”

Having a convention center would stimulate the economy of northern Lyon County by bringing more people to town, Good says. The proposed facility would be a good fit for trade association and civic group meetings, as well as for small group meetings.

“It would serve all of northern Nevada. All kinds of groups could come together there. We have great access just off I-80 and 95-A. We are well located to serve the rural communities with this kind of facility,” Good says.