Sky Tavern has spent generations teaching children to ski and snowboard. Now, the nonprofit is taking a major step toward making sure those opportunities are around for generations to come.
The Reno nonprofit is scheduled to sign its lease extension with the City of Reno in person at Sky Tavern at 2 p.m. on Thursday. The agreement extends the organization's lease to a total of 99 years, giving it the long-term security it needs to plan major projects and pursue fundraising for the future.
The City of Reno approved the extension in October, according to Sky Tavern.
For the nonprofit, the extended lease is about more than securing a place to ski. It gives the organization the ability to make long-term commitments, pursue significant expansion, and attract donations to support its plans.
Sky Tavern's skiing history dates back to 1938, and its Reno Junior Ski Program began teaching children in 1948. Since then, more than 100,000 children have learned to ski and snowboard on the mountain.
That includes athletes who went on to compete at the highest levels of the sport, including World Cup champions and Olympians Tamara McKinney, Lane Spina and three-time Olympic medalist David Wise.
The organization is now looking toward its centennial in 2038, with plans to build on that history while expanding what it offers the community.
The lease extension will help support traditional winter recreation, mountain biking, and year-round educational programs. Sky Tavern also has a long-term goal of making mountain recreation free for children younger than 12 through community sponsorships.
Accessibility for families, regardless of their financial circumstances, remains a major focus for the nonprofit.
Thomas J. Powell, who first learned to ski at Sky Tavern in the early 1970s, was also named chairman of the organization's Board of Directors.
In announcing the lease extension, Powell said the mountain's history is rooted in generations of people who wanted to give children the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
"From pioneers like Wayne Poulsen and Marce Herz to leaders like Bill Henderson and Yale Spina, this mountain exists because generations of people believed every child deserved an opportunity to experience the outdoors," Powell said. " We have 12 years before our centennial to build on that legacy and prepare Our Community Mountain for generations to come. This next chapter would not have been possible without the leadership and commitment of Mayor Hillary Schieve and the City of Reno.”
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve also described the extension as an investment in the community's future, saying it will help preserve outdoor recreation opportunities for Northern Nevada families.
With its centennial less than 12 years away, Sky Tavern now has a longer runway to plan its next chapter, raise money, and work toward making the mountain accessible to even more children.
