Volunteers Welcome All at Mesquite Visitors Center

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Mesquite Welcome Center located at 460 N. Sandhill Blvd, is open and greeting local visitors as well as travelers passing through. And all of this is thanks to a group of civic-minded volunteers who have pledged to keep it open.

The Welcome Center provides a wealth of information to its visitors. While the facility is operated and maintained by the Mesquite Department of Athletics and Leisure Services, its day-to-day operation is made possible by an all-volunteer staff. Diane McKinny is the volunteer staff coordinator.

Currently several local organizations have volunteered to man the center with their member volunteers one day per week. Mondays are staffed by the Friends of Gold Butte. Wednesdays by Mesquite Ham Radio Club members. Thursdays, the staffing comes from the Kokopelli OHV Club.

Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are manned by individual locals who have volunteered their time.
McKinny said they are always looking for more volunteers. They staff a two-man team at a time in the center. Each of the volunteers are vetted by the city. They also receive training and undergo a background check.
“Our all-volunteer staff prides itself on maintaining an unbiased approach when answering questions from the public,” said McKinny,

In an interview with The Progress, volunteer Steve Walls said that his experiences in the center connect him better to the community.
“Volunteering here makes me feel more a part of our community,” Walls said.

His partner Chris Fields added, “I like meeting the tourists from different countries that pass by here.”

Kokopelli volunteers Jay Nedds and Dave Northam, who worked at the center last Thursday, had some help from Northam’s dog, Pearl.
“It’s an easy job,” Nedds said. “But it is kind of interesting meeting the people.”

McKinney shared some Mesquite Welcome Center visitor statistics. From June 2022 through May of 2023, the center hosted 2,906 visitors to the facility who came in and requested information. Visitors who stopped in just to use the restroom or enjoy the grassy area on the grounds of the center added up to 8413. Thus, the total visitation was 11,319.

“If we had more volunteers, we could be open longer hours and provide even more informational service to our tourists,” McKinny said.

The Welcome Center dispenses information about the city and local areas to the public. They can help with maps, walking and bike paths and trails. Local history, community facilities, activities, schools, housing, and business development opportunities.
“I am most appreciative of all our dedicated volunteers, I wish we could do more to thank them, but we don’t have much of a budget.”

Anyone or organization wishing to get more information on volunteering may call the center at 702-346-4469 or email dmckinney@mesquitenv.gov
Currently the center is open Monday through Saturday 10 am to 2pm.