Officials say they are looking for two vehicles that left D'Andrea Golf Club just before a fire broke out at the Sparks clubhouse early Wednesday morning.
The Sparks Fire Department reviewed video taken at the scene and they are now looking for a white four-door Ford pickup and a brown sedan. Sparks officials also say four to six suspects were just outside the clubhouse right before the fire began.
The building was abandoned and the golf course has been closed since 2012.
There are no reported injuries, and Randi Thompson, a project manager for the D'Andrea winery says the fire is human-caused, but fire officials are still trying to verify if the fire was intentionally set.
If you have any information, call Secret Witness at 322-4900 or text your tip to 847411. Your information will remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a reward.
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Below is a statement from Randi Thompson and Steve Trollope, project managers for the D’Andrea winery and events center project, which was to be located in the former D’Andrea clubhouse that was destroyed by fire this morning.
“We are devastated and frustrated over the destruction of the clubhouse at D’Andrea that occurred earlier today and according to media reports is most likely arson-related. We, and the current property owners, have spent considerable efforts and monies over the past several months to clean up the property and repair the considerable damage done by vandals, in anticipation of re-opening the clubhouse in the coming year.
“These numerous repairs have included:
• August: replacement of a number wood panels that had been ripped off existing doors and windows, to prevent vandals from entering the clubhouse
• Early September: repaired a large hole in the exterior clubhouse walls that vandals created to allow them entry into the clubhouse
• Mid-October: the entire grounds were cleaned up and repainted the back of the clubhouse to remove extensive graffiti
• Mid-October: repaired an exterior metal sliding door into the cart storage room that vandals had damaged to gain access to the clubhouse
• After these repairs were made, the clubhouse property was secure and clean and we were in the process of ordering video equipment to monitor and capture the people who have continually been vandalizing the building
“This fire is a tremendous set back to our efforts to revitalize the D’Andrea clubhouse and grounds for the entire D’Andrea community. The revitalization project encompassed establishing a winery with vineyards, the creation of an events center, as well as creating “community focused” programs that would support the local D’Andrea community (community gardens, hiking trails, biking trails and an area for a community recreation/pool).
“We talked to a winery owner last week that is interested in relocating to Reno and was anxious to tour the D’Andrea clubhouse. We have met with Urban Roots, a local community organization that educates children on gardening, to establish a satellite operation that would serve the citizens of Sparks.
Additionally, a catering company was lined up to take over the food and beverage operations for the events center. All these efforts are now on hold as we determine the best way to move forward on the project.
“We hope the individuals responsible for this terrible incident are found quickly and prosecuted. Their actions have created a tremendous loss to the residents of D’Andrea and Sparks community, and we are deeply saddened by what has happened.”
