Contest renames old golf course to capture future

The site where the failed Willow Creek Golf Course now sits, has a brand new moniker – Discovery Park.

Local resident Susan Mora submitted the winning entry among 200 submissions, officials from Utilities, Inc., announced.

The utility provider held a recent contest allowing local residents to choose a name that best describes what officials have planned for the future of the site, bordering Calvada Boulevard, Mt. Charleston Drive and Red Butte Street.

In October, Utilities Inc., officials sought public input to gather ideas on how to best utilize the property after the company took possession over the 160-acre site following a bankruptcy court ruling last year.

Utilities Inc., Water Conservation Coordinator, Judy Gilmore said the company reviewed all of the entries to find the name that fits with what the property will eventually become.

“We thought Ms. Mora’s suggested name of Discovery Park captured quite well the intent of the redevelopment into an educational oasis designed to foster learning about native species of flora and fauna, provide recreational opportunity, teach conservation concepts and do all these things now and into the future,” Gilmore said. “There were nearly 250 entries and the choice was a tough one, but we think the concept of Discovery Park really gets at where the plan is headed.”

Mora, a 10-year resident, is a former educator in the Pahrump Valley.

“I was reading about the educational aspects of it and it just brought Discovery Park to my mind and that’s what I went with,” she said. “I don’t golf, but I’ve driven by and noticed all of the beautiful trees there. I’d like to thank Utilities Inc., and Home Depot for the wonderful prizes.”

For her effort, Mora won a brand new Maytag High Efficient washing machine from Home Depot, and a Utilities Inc., $75 credit rebate.

Specialty Manager Teresa Aukeman said Home Depot was approached by Utilities Inc., representatives about partnering in the effort.

“They wanted Home Depot to participate in the contest and of course we wanted to participate,” she said. “The whole idea is water conservation, so we donated a high-efficiency washing machine. We do partner with the community whenever we can.”

Willow Creek Golf Course has been closed since November 2008.

On June 24, 2009, Nye County issued a letter recognizing the ponds became a health hazard and demanded the situation be addressed.

The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection issued a finding of alleged violation against the prior owners and the Fifth Judicial District Court issued a permanent injunction mandating the former owner immediately remediate the ponds to bring them into compliance.

On Sept. 19, 2012, the district court declared the ponds were “a clear and present danger to the community.”

On Nov. 7, 2012, Jim Scott, the owner of Caldera P and G, the former owners of the golf course, was jailed for 21 days by Senior Judge Bob Rose for failing to follow a district court order to clean up the ponds.