The fate of the Space Whale in Reno remains afloat in limbo after consideration of a proposal to seek funds from the region’s leading tourism authority was pulled from the agenda on Thursday following some miscommunication about the funding source.
The proposal involved an application to use federal pandemic-relief funds from the city of Reno to help purchase the sculpture.
The Space Whale, an art display that towers 50 feet and features a humpback whale mother and calf, was initially on the agenda of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority’s regular board meeting Thursday.
The RSCVA’s board of directors was scheduled to vote on whether to approve up to $200,000 in funds to help the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada buy the Burning Man art piece. According to the agenda, the city of Reno plans to turn the Space Whale into a permanent display if purchased.