WINNEMUCCA — The Winnemucca Community Garden opened ten years ago as a place folks could rent plots for gardens, learn from other gardeners, and create a space for community members to enjoy.

The volunteers have made beautiful what was once an empty city lot, have organized learning events for kids, and promoted a healthier lifestyle with homegrown foods bought at the Farmer’s Market.

As good as it’s been, Community Garden members are looking to expand the possibilities with the addition of an open air pavilion.

Community Garden members were recently before the Winnemucca City Council to present their plan.

Amanda Hoffer, the Community Garden’s acting director, presented the plan and was joined by AmeriCorps/VISTA participants Ryan Clemens and Ronny Forney.

Hoffer explained the pavilion would provide more opportunities for the public to utilize the garden with concerts, plays, meetings, family reunions, or events similar to those at the city’s other parks.

The pavilion would sit on a concrete foundation and have water and electricity.  The roof would be made out of metal panels and would be painted with weather-resistant paint to stand up to the area’s harsh conditions.

The estimated cost for the pavilion was $62,000, but that cost could go up with the addition of landscaping, etc.

Community Garden members were before the council looking for assistance with the bill as part of their multi-source strategy for raising money to construct the pavilion.

The council was supportive of the effort, but did not pledge any dollar amount and suggested the matter be discussed again during budget hearings.

Hoffer said the group hoped to begin construction after the 2012 growing season, perhaps in September or October.

Council members praised the efforts of the many volunteers for the hours dedicated to maintaining the garden.