By Charlene Dean

The RV park at Pahrump Valley Winery has a new owner, the name has changed and, according to RV park manager Phyllis Deal, there are plans for some massive renovations slated to begin just as soon as the permits can be pulled. Deal has been managing the park since 2005.

Hard financial times hit the original owners, Western Horizon, and the mortgage holder, City National Bank, posted a trustee’s sale in July 2011, when the loan balance for both the RV resort and the building which houses the winery were close to $3.7 million.

Although Nevada Wines, LLC, owner Bill Loken and a California investor offered $2 million at the sale in August 2011, City National opted not to accept it and purchased the property from itself for $1,970,000. Loken’s winery and restaurant businesses are tenants to the property and not the owner.

The properties sat on the market until new owner Philip Moreau purchased it a couple of months ago. The sale closed July 2. Deal said Moreau “owns three resorts in the Southwest and numerous ventures in the East.” He operates under RV Management Services, LLC.

Deal said there are other changes as well. The name has changed to Wine Ridge RV Resort and the property is now open to the public, meaning a membership is no longer required, although memberships for the former Charleston Peak RV Resort are being honored with unlimited use except during the high volume season, and low rates.

Permits for quite a few changes are in process. Deal said the clubhouse will undergo a face lift and two new professional billiard tables will be added as well as the installation of a new bar.

Deal said, “The bar has never been functional because we don’t have a liquor license, but the owner is selling the circa 1803, Cape Cod built bar.” She said the asking price after doing some research will be $50,000 for the antique piece.

“The helicopter pads are coming out, too,” Deal said. “They haven’t been used for four years, since the economy failed.” She said the addition of a bocce ball court, a pickle ball court, a spa and fitness facility and eight new comfort stations, each with a shower, are in the plans.

Also set for construction are a 30 x 50 exercise pool for volleyball, water aerobics and laps and 10 cottages.

“The cottages look stick-built and will be for rent at $65 per night,” Deal said. “Each will have one bedroom with a kitchenette and fully furnished. All you have to bring is your clothes and food if you like.”

Deal said there is so much unused property around the park that no spaces are being used for the additional amenities, save for the cottages, which will use one-and-a-half spaces each.

Plans for a fenced playground and picnic area will be installed near the parking lot along with mini-golf.

Deal said she hopes all the improvements will be finished by the grand opening which is scheduled for the second week in October.

“We want this to be the jewel of Pahrump,” Deal said. “We’re going to do a lot of marketing to draw attention to the property.

The $26-per-night RV space fee will include the use of the amenities, full hook-ups and Internet services. Deal said when the improvements are finished, the resort will hire an activities director.