http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/20...news/news08.txt

Nellis recreation park could cost $32 million
BY TONY ILLIA

The Nellis Dunes, an 8,522-acre raw, undeveloped property northeast of Las Vegas, could soon become a regional off-road-vehicle haven. Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas advisory firm, recently presented a feasibility study for developing the vacant federal land one-mile north of Nellis Air Force Base. Construction of such a facility could run $32.5 million, not including the land purchase, the study concluded.

"It would allow us to leverage our Southern Nevada Lands Act funds to provide another arrow in our tourism arsenal," said Jeremy Aguero, principal of Applied Analysis. "It would be a public asset that could help support and stimulate the economy."

The Bureau of Land Management currently oversees the property, which was described as rife, in a 1995 federal report, with "garbage dumping; auto-stripping; indiscriminate camping; partying; and firearms shooting."

County plans, meanwhile, call for a three-acre skate park, 40 acres of four-wheel- driving courses, and 22.5 acres for motor-cross. The area could also contain a 100-acre paved parking lot, 150 acres for RV camping, and 15 acres of viewing areas, among things. It would have a 20,000-square-foot, multi-purpose administration and storage building. And there would be staging areas along Interstate-15, with buffer zones near Nellis Air Force Base and Apex mining.

Yet the project would first need $8.7 million in infrastructure improvements as well as a $3.2 million yearly budget for park upkeep and maintenance. The area could charge admission and race fees from $3 up to $80 a day, plus sponsorship, concession, rental and storage fees.

Such surcharges would enable pay-as-you-go financing, although the park will likely qualify for federal funding assistance. The study identifies 34 organizations and groups interested in an off-road park, including the Southern Nevada Land Cruisers, Roughnecks ATV Club and Desert Raiders, among others.

The complex would serve the valley's estimated 348,280 off-highway vehicle riders. The number of enthusiasts has grown by 27,298 people over the last two years. And the number of riders is expected to grow by another 21.8 percent by 2015.

A regional park, as such, could see 208,767 riders per year, according to the study. With the valley's rapid growth, however, there are fewer off-road venues left despite its surging popularity.

"There are relatively few land uses for the area due to Nellis Air Force Base, and motocross is one of the fastest growing sports in the country," Aguero said. "It could be big for Las Vegas, making it a win-win."