Carson City Board of Supervisors to take on ‘Big MAC’ Thursday

Big MAC is on track with a $7.7 million bricks-and-mortar construction contract going before Carson City’s Board of Supervisors Thursday.

Anti-climatic though it will be, the board will be expected to approve a contact with Miles Construction to build the multi-purpose athletic center (MAC) beginning in March, with the 10 months scheduled for the edifice to rise being a stark contrast with the multiple years it took to get out of this starting gate. The project was nicknamed Big MAC because at one time during the recession and recovery a mini MAC version was considered.

The agreed-upon price tag actually is $8.3 million, but this construction contract is for less because it doesn’t include “soft costs” for such things as engineering, design, surveys, permitting, and furniture or fixtures, according to Roger Moellendorf, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. He said those costs are embedded in contracts with other vendors.

If all goes well, ground breaking should be in a month and completion of the facility near the Boys and Girls Club on Russell Way is slated for December. The recreation center will include multiple basketball/volleyball courts, a second-story jogging/walking track which will allow for eventual expansion depending on additional money later and the need due to community growth.

The board has a long day of work scheduled with the regular session beginning, as usual, in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center at 851 E. William St. on Thursday. The day will stretch into the evening hours by including a joint session, beginning at 6 p.m., with the Carson City School District Board of Directors. In between, an afternoon session starting at 1:30 p.m. is scheduled after a lunch break.

Other agenda items of note: discussion and an update on findings and recommendations from a city employee efficiency study; a session in which the board meets in its capacity as Redevelopment Authority to decide on more than $170,000 in spending; later action as city governing board to appoint two members to the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee, and a possible legislative request for a bill to take another step in preserving the Nevada State Prison.