Carson council adopts interim Event Center fees and expands resident discount to seven days

The Carson City Council on Monday approved an interim fee schedule for the newly renovated Carson Event Center and amended staff’s recommendation so residents may use the discounted rate seven days a week.

Staff said the temporary rates are intended to remain in effect while a broader market fee study is completed over the next 8–12 months. "These interim fees will remain in effect while a comprehensive fee study is completed," staff noted during the presentation. The initial proposal included nonresident rates for the amphitheater and courtyard and a 30 percent nonprofit discount; staff later clarified prime-time costs for the main halls.

Why it matters: the event center is a new revenue source for the city and a community amenity. Council members pressed staff to make the facility affordable for Carson residents on weekends — the period of highest demand for weddings and community events — while balancing cost recovery and marketing to attract outside renters.

Details: staff described nonresident rates for the amphitheater and courtyard in the proposal and said resident rates would be lower. During the meeting staff corrected earlier estimates and stated that Hall A/B/C prime-time blocks are approximately $1,100 for a four-hour period. Staff also said the amphitheater’s initial nonresident rate was proposed at $700 per hour (two-hour minimum) and the courtyard at $400 per hour (two-hour minimum), with nonprofit discounts applied as described in the report.

Council debate focused on weekend access, catering requirements and added amenities such as stronger internet and sound systems. Mayor Lula Davis Holmes said she wanted residents to be able to hold weekend events in city facilities: "I wanna have a wedding on Saturday. I don't need to go to the DoubleTree to get married when I have this beautiful facility," she said. Staff and councilmembers discussed whether weekend resident rates should be conditioned on catering; the motion that passed removed the weekend restriction so the resident discount applies seven days a week.

The motion to adopt the interim fee schedule with that amendment was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Sidrick Hicks and seconded; the council recorded the motion as carried. Staff will return with a report and recommended permanent rates after the market survey and the 8–12 month study period.

Next steps: staff will implement the temporary schedule, continue marketing the facility, work with IT on AV and digital signage, and report back with permanent rate recommendations.