Monday, April 20, 2020 | 8 p.m.
View more of the Sun's opinion section
As a long-time Henderson resident and real estate broker whose livelihood is selling the community and its award-winning lifestyle, I understand the value of government investment in infrastructure.
Parks, trails, community centers, civic centers and other community facilities that create opportunity for socializing, staying active, learning and simply enjoying life are the very elements that help residents to thrive and communities to grow. And they are the very elements that influence people to buy homes in places where those amenities are abundant.
The current bond issue before the Henderson City Council will help meet critical needs in our community, particularly in fast-growing west Henderson and in older areas of the city where parks and community centers need to be improved. In addition, the bonds could be used for a much-needed upgrade and reimagination of the Henderson Pavilion that would transform this aging facility into a first-rate venue that could be used for special events of all kinds year-round.
For those of us who call Henderson home, a new Henderson Event Center would be a treasure. Not only would it be designed to host a variety of concerts and performing arts productions, it would be an ideal place for high school and college graduations. Currently, there is no event venue in the entire city that can accommodate these kinds of events and gatherings.
And as a Vegas Golden Knights fan, need I say more about the pride I would feel in having my hometown of Henderson be the new home of an American Hockey League team? The opportunity to bring professional hockey to Henderson is one that most cities could only dream of.
I know the city is working hard on a comprehensive parking and transportation plan for a newly reimagined Henderson Event Center that will protect nearby neighborhoods, mitigate traffic congestion, ensure pedestrian safety and expedite other improvements in the area. That kind of planning is expected, and I am confident the city of Henderson will address all those concerns.
While some may think that the COVID-19 crisis makes this the wrong time for our city to make a sizable investment in bonds that better the community, there is, in fact, no better time. Look no further than the Great Depression, when the construction of major infrastructure projects put millions of Americans back to work while transforming our country’s infrastructure. Not to mention the historically low interest rates that also make it a great time to invest. This is a real opportunity for our city to help Henderson recover more quickly economically by creating jobs, improving our community with quality assets and driving more investment.
Just last week, I sold a home in a neighborhood next to the Henderson Pavilion. Its proximity to the future home of a Henderson-based AHL hockey team was a big reason the buyer chose a home there. He, like me, and the majority of Henderson residents who stand with us, understand the value of a first-rate event venue that will enhance quality of life and increase overall property values.
Trish Nash is a Henderson resident and business owner.
