Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
ENLARGE
Bonanza Photo - Brian D. Schultz Lloyd Collins, who describes himself as an "old ranch hand," rakes up the yard in front of the church at the Ponderosa Ranch.
Owners of the 570-acre Ponderosa Ranch announced Friday they have agreed to sell the Lake Tahoe property to Incline Village businessman David Duffield.
The property, which has operated as a theme park since the late 1960s and was based on the "Bonanza" television series, went on the sale block in February.
Officials from several agencies working on a deal to buy the property for public use were caught off-guard by Friday's announcement.
"I'm disappointed," Nevada State Parks Administrator David Morrow said. "Our staff was up there just this past Tuesday, discussing plans. I've been out of town, got back this morning and was shocked when I heard the news."
"The agencies involved, even though they worked very hard, never really made a commitment," said Royce Anderson, vice president and co-owner of the Ponderosa. "We just felt that this was the best thing for our families to pursue."
A sale price was not disclosed. Duffield's representative, Tom Clark, said it was "comparable to what the agencies were offering."
The property, which has operated as a theme park since the late 1960s and was based on the "Bonanza" television series, went on the sale block in February.
Officials from several agencies working on a deal to buy the property for public use were caught off-guard by Friday's announcement.
"I'm disappointed," Nevada State Parks Administrator David Morrow said. "Our staff was up there just this past Tuesday, discussing plans. I've been out of town, got back this morning and was shocked when I heard the news."
"The agencies involved, even though they worked very hard, never really made a commitment," said Royce Anderson, vice president and co-owner of the Ponderosa. "We just felt that this was the best thing for our families to pursue."
A sale price was not disclosed. Duffield's representative, Tom Clark, said it was "comparable to what the agencies were offering."
"Running the Ponderosa Ranch these many years has been a great experience for our family," said David Geddes, president of the ranch. "We started looking at options to sell the property about a year ago."
Since the announcement that the ranch was for sale, the Geddes and Anderson families, through the Minden-based company Terra Firma Associates, had been trying to work a deal that would involve the purchase of the property by various government agencies, including the Incline Village General Improvement District, Nevada State Parks, Washoe County, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Transportation and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.
"While these agencies have done a fantastic job in trying to put together a very complex project, the deal was still in the formative stages and had an awful lot of contingencies," Geddes said. "When we went public with our plans to sell, we knew that it had to be done in a timely manner and, even though we knew that the agencies were working hard, David's (Duffield) offer allowed us to meet that goal."
Duffield said he has no plans for immediate development of the property.
"As a full-time resident of Incline Village, I appreciate the concerns about the future of this property as it is the gateway to our community," he said.
"I've known David (Duffield) for a long time and I know that he's very genuine in his desire to do something good for the community," Geddes said. "This will allow the agencies more time and a chance to plan and work with the new ownership."
Since the announcement that the ranch was for sale, the Geddes and Anderson families, through the Minden-based company Terra Firma Associates, had been trying to work a deal that would involve the purchase of the property by various government agencies, including the Incline Village General Improvement District, Nevada State Parks, Washoe County, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Transportation and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.
"While these agencies have done a fantastic job in trying to put together a very complex project, the deal was still in the formative stages and had an awful lot of contingencies," Geddes said. "When we went public with our plans to sell, we knew that it had to be done in a timely manner and, even though we knew that the agencies were working hard, David's (Duffield) offer allowed us to meet that goal."
Duffield said he has no plans for immediate development of the property.
"As a full-time resident of Incline Village, I appreciate the concerns about the future of this property as it is the gateway to our community," he said.
"I've known David (Duffield) for a long time and I know that he's very genuine in his desire to do something good for the community," Geddes said. "This will allow the agencies more time and a chance to plan and work with the new ownership."
Asked if his department has plans to approach the Duffield ownership group, Morrow said, "Certainly we would be interested if there was any chance we could negotiate a deal with the new ownership."
Karen Mullen, director of Washoe County Parks, was also surprised by the announcement.
"The wind has gone out of the sails," Mullen said. "There was so much work put into this and we (the agencies) were so close to getting it all done."
Maribeth Gustafson, forest supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service, said "We retain the hope that we will be able to work with the new owners to acquire the upper part of the property for public and conservation purposes."
"My initial reaction is that we spent hundreds of staff hours on making this deal work," said Bill Horn, Incline Village General Improvement District general manager. "I'm extremely disappointed, but from a positive standpoint, I guess it buys us more time."
IVGID Board Chairman Syd Brosten was more upbeat.
Karen Mullen, director of Washoe County Parks, was also surprised by the announcement.
"The wind has gone out of the sails," Mullen said. "There was so much work put into this and we (the agencies) were so close to getting it all done."
Maribeth Gustafson, forest supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service, said "We retain the hope that we will be able to work with the new owners to acquire the upper part of the property for public and conservation purposes."
"My initial reaction is that we spent hundreds of staff hours on making this deal work," said Bill Horn, Incline Village General Improvement District general manager. "I'm extremely disappointed, but from a positive standpoint, I guess it buys us more time."
IVGID Board Chairman Syd Brosten was more upbeat.
"I actually think it's one of the best things to happen to Incline Village," Brosten said. "Bonding $8 million at this time would not be prudent or in the best interest of the community."
Duffield, his wife Cheryl and their six children have lived in Incline Village since 1999 and are active in many community endeavors. Duffield was founder and CEO of the business software maker PeopleSoft.
A supporter of the local Boys and Girls Clubs, Duffield is also chairman and benefactor of Lake Tahoe School.
In a prepared statement, Duffield said: "I am aware of how this property might help solve some of the issues facing our community, such as the need for a transportation center, and the need for land coverage for public projects that might become available through a large-scale restoration project and, in time, I would like to figure out what is good for our community and how we might address some of those needs with a long-term plan that will benefit all of us."
In the meantime, the ranch is open for tourists.
"Now that this is done, we want to let people know that the Ponderosa is planning to continue doing business as usual until our closing on Sept. 26," Anderson said. "This is the last chance people will be able to see the ranch as it is and has been since 1967."
Duffield, his wife Cheryl and their six children have lived in Incline Village since 1999 and are active in many community endeavors. Duffield was founder and CEO of the business software maker PeopleSoft.
A supporter of the local Boys and Girls Clubs, Duffield is also chairman and benefactor of Lake Tahoe School.
In a prepared statement, Duffield said: "I am aware of how this property might help solve some of the issues facing our community, such as the need for a transportation center, and the need for land coverage for public projects that might become available through a large-scale restoration project and, in time, I would like to figure out what is good for our community and how we might address some of those needs with a long-term plan that will benefit all of us."
In the meantime, the ranch is open for tourists.
"Now that this is done, we want to let people know that the Ponderosa is planning to continue doing business as usual until our closing on Sept. 26," Anderson said. "This is the last chance people will be able to see the ranch as it is and has been since 1967."
