MARK WAITE / PVT Manon Rodriguez shows the location of the visual and performing arts center on the Calvada Eye. Advertisement

A 3.27-acre slice on the southwestern side of the Calvada Eye will be set aside for a visual and performing arts center, Nye County commissioners decided by a 4-0 vote (Chairman Gary Hollis absent) Monday morning.

Commissioner Peter Liakopoulos suggested the Pahrump Arts Council would have up to five years to do something with the land or it would revert back to the county.

The commission approved the dedication of land, but any lease arrangements will be decided at a later date.

"If we do get your approval on this project, we can move forward and start our funding process and fund raisers," former Commissioner Patricia Cox said.

Liakopoulos wanted assurances the project would go through the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission for consideration of parking and traffic studies, a concern expressed by Hollis at a previous meeting in which the land dedication was rejected by a 3-2 vote.

Manon Rodriguez read a letter of support from the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce, which stated, "Cultural arts are becoming more popular in the town of Pahrump and there is not an appropriate venue to host events of this nature."

The chamber letter stated the center would add to the list of inducements for people to relocate to Pahrump.

"The arts are one of the first things that are cut out of the budget for the schools and towns that have arts centers. They are one of the things that make us human," Donna Lamm, owner of Donna's School of Dance. "I think it's definitely time for this to happen. I think it would be the crown jewel of our town center."

Cox assured commissioners they would still have 27 acres left to use on the Eye, a parcel that is being planned as part of a town center. The county acquired the Calvada Eye for $3.2 million in 2004 following the Preferred Equities Corp. bankruptcy.

The old Calvada Eye buildings are being renovated for a meeting place to replace the Bob Ruud Community Center and for more county office space.

Cox pointed to the crowd attending the Tracy Byrd concert at the start of the last Pahrump Fall Festival as evidence of the revenues the town could gain from functions at the visual and performing arts center. The Byrd concert was standing room only.

Now that the land has been set aside, Cox said different consultants that work with theaters and performing arts centers will speak with the joint committee pushing the project, including representatives of the Pahrump Arts Council and Rotary Club of Pahrump Valley. A community survey will be conducted after information is assembled from the consultants, to determine what type of performances the public wants, Cox said.

While ballpark estimates project the center's cost at $20 million or more, Cox said it would depend on what the community wants.

Plans presented to commissioners suggested a 500-seat theater and an outside amphitheater with 1,000 seats, classrooms, an art gallery, lobby and sculpture art garden.

"I'm sure there's going to be a lot of support, community wise and foundation wise. We're going to keep a positive attitude because I think this is something the whole community can benefit from," Cox said.

The vote of approval drew applause from the arts council members in the audience.