Nye County Commission Authorizes RFP for Six Tournament-Size Fairgrounds Sports Fields

County commissioners authorized staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find firms to design and build six tournament-size sports fields at the Pahrump Fairgrounds, advancing a project pursued for years to relieve field shortages and attract competitive play.

Pahrump Buildings and Grounds Manager Jimmy Martinez told the board that the project represents a shift from the original plan. “Our previous layout was eight multi-purpose fields [and] they are a lot smaller,” Martinez said during the Jan. 21 meeting, noting that the eight-field design was decided more than a decade ago. Learning that larger fields are needed for tournament play, the layout was reduced to six larger fields to fit the fairgrounds’ available space.

The commission was acting in its capacity as the governing body of the town of Pahrump when it authorized staff to issue the RFP and approve the updated field layout. Commissioner Debra Strickland moved to approve the updated layout and direct staff to seek proposals, saying, “So we might know what that would cost.” Commissioner John Koenig seconded the motion and it passed with all in favor. Commissioner Ron Boskovich stressed the procurement step did not commit the county to spending. “Just to be clear, this [layout adjustment] is not awarding any dollar amount,” Boskovich said.

Existing venues in Pahrump include Petrack Park and Ian Deutch Memorial Park, but local teams have continued to struggle with field allocations and scheduling conflicts. Martinez emphasized that the Pahrump Fairgrounds’ roughly 427 acres leave room for expansion beyond the initial six fields, allowing the county to plan for larger events or additional community fields in the future.

Cost estimates remain uncertain until the RFP process produces bids. Commissioner John Koenig asked, “What does it cost to build a field?” Martinez responded, “In what time frame?” Martinez offered a reference point, noting that a Las Vegas park built about a year ago included eight multi-purpose fields at a construction cost of $15 million. Strickland reiterated that firm pricing will hinge on proposals returned to the county.

For residents, the approved RFP signals potential changes to youth and adult sports in Pahrump: tournament-size fields could increase local access to higher-level competition and bring visiting teams and overnight stays that affect lodging and small-business activity. The move also raises questions about capital funding, long-term maintenance, and scheduling priorities for local leagues and school programs.

Next steps will center on the RFP timeline and the bids that arrive. County staff will evaluate proposals and return cost and timeline recommendations to the commission before any contract is awarded. The commission’s authorization advances a long-standing local priority while leaving fiscal decisions for later public consideration.