By Marshel Couso
Welcome to our weekly feature dedicated to covering Susanville and Lassen County’s business scene!
Grand openings, new employees, renovations, new hours… each week we’ll keep you up to date with important information about the businesses you rely on.
This week featuring Lassen Community College, Susanville Indian Rancheria and Mountain Meadow Ranch.
Lassen College Unveils New Beach Volleyball Complex
Lassen Community College has officially unveiled its state-of-the-art beach volleyball complex, offering Cougar student-athletes a stunning new venue for both practice and competition. Built through a collaboration between Kirack Construction and JKAE Construction, the project marks an exciting milestone for a sport that was added to the college’s athletic program during the 2022–2023 academic year.
Nestled among lush grass and tall trees, the facility boasts three pristine white sand courts designed to host high-level play while giving student-athletes an exceptional training environment.
Beyond serving the beach volleyball team, the sand complex will double as a versatile training site for athletes across multiple Cougar sports programs, highlighting Lassen College’s ongoing investment in athletic excellence and student success.
Athletic Director William Freedman highlighted the community effort that brought the project to life. “I’d like to thank the Lassen College administration, especially President Carie Camacho, Director of Facilities Dan Williams, and the entire facilities team for their support throughout this project,” Freedman said.
“I’d also like to thank Kirack Construction for their phenomenal work on the beach volleyball complex, as well as the recent upgrades to our gymnasium and parking lot. I also want to recognize Head Volleyball Coach Amy Morris for her dedication to growing our beach volleyball program.”
Freedman emphasized that the benefits of the new complex extend well beyond the courts themselves.
“This complex is an investment not only in beach volleyball, but in all of our student-athletes. We’re excited to host tournaments that will showcase our beautiful campus, outstanding facilities, and talented coaches and athletes while also bringing visitors to our community and providing a boost to our local economy.”
The complex represents the latest step in a broad overhaul of Lassen College’s athletic infrastructure. Coming on the heels of major improvements to the gymnasium, parking lot, and softball fields, this newest addition reinforces the institution’s commitment to delivering a premier collegiate experience for every Cougar athlete.
Lassen Indian Health Center Announces Name of New facility
The Susanville Indian Rancheria has officially selected a name for its new medical center currently under construction on Spring Ridge Drive, following an overwhelming response from Tribal Members in a community-wide naming contest.
The facility will be named the Four Nations Health Center, a submission originally put forward by the late Gene Pasqua. Out of 125 total votes cast, the winning title secured a decisive victory, capturing 73% of the overall vote. Pasqua’s contribution will be formally honored by the Rancheria as the new center prepares to serve the region.
Construction on the Spring Ridge Drive site remains actively underway. The Rancheria noted that while the vote is complete, the name will officially be adopted on opening day.
Tribal leadership expressed gratitude to everyone who submitted ideas and voted, highlighting the community’s pivotal role in shaping the future of this vital healthcare resource.
Opening dates and inaugural community events will be announced as construction nears completion.
Mountain Meadow Ranch Celebrates 70 Years of Summer Magic
Mountain Meadow Ranch recently capped off another incredible summer in Lassen County by celebrating its 70th anniversary with an unforgettable alumni reunion. Campers and staff from every decade gathered to relive cherished traditions, sharing stories around the campfire, making s’mores, hiking to the rock pile, taking a birthday huck, enjoying movie night under the stars, hitting the high ropes course and riding horses. Most of all, the weekend was a celebration of reconnecting with old friends and honoring the shared bond that spans generations of camp history.
The story of the ranch stretches back well over a century, beginning in 1910 when Nevada silver mining tycoon George Wingfield built a grand summer retreat named Meadowbrook Ranch. Known as the showplace of its time, visitors traveled from miles away to see his estate, where deer, buffalo and elk grazed in the meadows.
During the 1920s, local businessmen transformed the property into a country club with a nine-hole golf course winding through the lower meadows. Cowboy movie star Buck Jones later purchased the ranch in the 1930s with dreams of retiring there, though his vision was tragically cut short by his death in Boston’s Cocoanut Grove fire.
After years of quiet hardship, the ranch entered a vibrant new era in 1956 when former Los Angeles Rams pro football player Jack Ellena Sr. acquired the land. Recognizing its natural spring water, temperate summer climate, and western charm, he established the Mountain Meadow Ranch for Boys. The camp quickly captured hearts, and by 1957, it expanded to welcome girls as well.
Management eventually passed to Jack’s son, Jack Ellena Jr. (“Chip”), and his wife Jody, who deepened the camp’s mission by introducing a tradition of Servant Leadership inspired by the Mountain Maidu “Serve All” ideal. Today, two of Chip and Jody’s daughters and their husbands carry on the family legacy as third-generation directors. Guided by core values of inclusivity, authenticity, empathy, integrity, stewardship, and mindfulness, they continue to foster personal growth for every new group of campers while Chip and Jody enjoy active, supportive roles as proud grandparents.
There is a thread that runs through every generation of camp, and hearing stories from every decade reminded the directors why they do what they do. The spirit of adventure and connection lives on, and the ranch looks forward to 70 more years of summer traditions.
Is something noteworthy happening with your business? Let us know about it! Each Thursday morning, we present a round-up of interesting news from the Lassen County business scene and we want to hear from you. E-mail your business news to Marshel at [email protected].
