By Kathryn Reed

The $500,000 that Measure R provided for South Lake Tahoe fields has been spent.

The recreation joint powers authority that oversees the bond was given an update about the status last week. That board is made up of representatives from South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County and Tahoe Paradise Resort Improvement District.

Originally called Measure S when voters passed it in 2000, it was renamed Measure R in 2011. At that time voters agreed to restructure how the money was spent on fields and bike trails. The property tax assessment expires in 2030. (Voters could reauthorize it or it could be rewritten in some manner.)

Field improvements included the play area at Sierra House Elementary School, funds for South Tahoe High School’s softball field, and the new field and new T-ball field at Al Tahoe.

Until the measure expires in 12 years, $50,000 will continue to go toward field maintenance on an annual basis.

“It is designated to go for maintenance of the field and other facilities built with JPA money at LTCC,” John Upton told Lake Tahoe News. Upton is the lone paid staff member of the JPA. He has overseen Measure S since the get-go, and was instrumental in it evolving into Measure R.

“The money goes to the city, which then transfers it to the consortium, of which the city is a partner. The provision for the $50,000 going to the city for that maintenance is part of the original JPA Joint Facilities Agreement,” Upton explained.

The Community Play Consortium was created in the past couple of years, with the city and Lake Tahoe Community College the members. They control the artificial turf field where the college soccer team plays, which was the original community field paid for by Measure S. The two new fields built last year near that site and where SnowGlobe was held the last two years are the other fields under the purview of the consortium.

At this time the consortium is satisfied with the $50,000 it receives. Representatives can always ask for more, but there is no guarantee it would be forthcoming.

Lauren Thomaselli, who heads the city’s recreation department, told the JPA board that the long-awaited concession stand is finally going to be built. The $15,000 left over from the restroom facility will be used for the food venue. It will be an addition to the current structure.