Tahoe Fund donors helped secure funding to start construction process for a new visitor center and amphitheater
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (Jan. 22, 2021) – Nevada State Parks is seeking construction bids for Phase 1 of the Spooner Frontcountry Improvement Project. Phase 1 will involve a complete redesign and update of the 35+ year old facilities, and construction of a new visitor center and amphitheater at Spooner Lake. Proposals will be accepted at the Nevada Division of State Parks office until March 11 at 2:00 p.m. PST.
This is an important milestone for the project, after a successful fundraising campaign completed last year by the Tahoe Fund generated more than $300,000 in contributions from private donors. The private funds helped to unlock $2.9 million in public funding for the project.
Spooner Lake, an incredibly popular place to hike, mountain bike, ride horses or simply enjoy nature, welcomes more than 150,000 visitors every year. The new facilities will offer visitors high quality interpretive programming and environmental education, and will serve as a base for natural and cultural history programs, ranger-led hikes and tours, and an outdoor science venue for students. The addition of the amphitheater will also expand ecology and outdoor education programs, with a number of science and nature-based field trip opportunities for local elementary and middle schoolers. It will serve as a major portal to 60+ miles of paths and trails in 13,000 acres of spectacular non-motorized wilderness within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“It’s exciting to see the bid proposal process get underway for this project,” said Tim Cashman, Tahoe Fund board member. “The renovation of the facilities at Spooner Lake will provide new educational opportunities for local students and visitors from around the world. We are so thankful for all of the generous donors who helped get this started.”
The project will include the removal of the existing restroom, site preparation, utility installation, construction of a visitor center and amphitheater, pathways and site amenities, landscaping and irrigation, entrance road realignment and paving, vault toilet installation, and any other specified work as outlined in the project specifications.
For detailed project and bid information, visit http://parks.nv.gov/about/public-notices.
The Spooner Lake State Park renovation is a collaborative effort between the Nevada Division of State Parks, the Nevada Division of State Lands, the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, and the Tahoe Fund. For additional project background, as well as other projects in the Tahoe Basin, visit tahoefund.org.
