Snowhaven Project Committee Minutes
April 25, 2023 – 5:00 P.M.
Council Chambers
Members Present: Wes Lester, Tonya Kennedy, Gabe Forsmann, Scott Wasem and Tara Connolley
Discussion on a chair lift compared to expanding the lodge
Gabe Forsmann received a quote for $2.4 million to install a new triple chair lift. He also looked further into used chair lifts and discovered they are becoming an OSHA problem so finding the right one would be a challenge. Gabe stated converting to a chair lift is off the table. A new T-bar is about $750,000. Gabe also stated there are national guidelines ski hills should be following. One Industry standard is to replace the T-bar cable every 3-5 years. Scott stated the cable was inspected in the 2000’s by RJ Knight out of Missouri. He talked to Brundage today; their cable on the #1 lift was put in in 1961 and replaced in the late 90s. Gabe still doesn’t think the lodge is the best idea for the funds. Gabe felt the committee should look at maybe doing major maintenance on the hill.
Some maintenance ideas are as follows:
• New Ts (includes extras) – $100,000
• New Cable – $100,000
• Frequency system for the T-bar to help new riders by slowing it down – $10,000
• Replace tubes – $10,000
• Replace Sewer system – $20,000
• Shop – $300,000
• Purchase of additional land for expansion in the future
• Groomer
New Ts – Gabe found a company to buy new Ts from and they are about $1,300 each. Snowhaven has 60 Ts and we would want to purchase extra Ts at the same time. The heart of the hill is the T-bar and it has to work to operate the hill.
Replace Sewer System – No one knows where the septic tank is. Although we haven’t had issues, it is something we may want to consider.
Purchase Additional Land – Discussion occurred and purchasing additional land for Snowhaven in case there is expansion in the future. A 5-acre land purchase from Edwards to the east of the tubing hill could allow for a shop or expanded parking lot and could also include the sewer system. It was suggested to possibly do a land trade with the Klein Memorial for the land. Wes and Tonya felt the trade would not be possible.
Frequency System for T-bar – This could be used to slow down the T-bar to help new riders. The rope tow and tubing hill already have these systems.
Replace Tubes – Gabe stated most of the tubes have already been recovered and the bottoms can’t be replaced again. We should consider new tubes.
Shop – A 36×48 was designed by Arnzen several years ago. If a new shop is considered, we need to make sure it’s big enough to do everything we need.
Tara added up a rough estimate of $540,000 for some of the proposed ideas of tubes, sewer, frequency system, Ts, cable and shop
Scott and Gabe will continue to work on an upgrade and repair list.
Wes stated up to now the council has been told we are out of room in the rental shop, the deck is shot, and ski patrol needs new building; however none of this has some up here. Tonya explained how Wes suggested Snowhaven for some of the ARPA funds to be able to expand the lodge to solve some of these problems.
Tara brought up ideas of using the hill in the off season for mountain bikes. There are trail building grants available.
Wes visited with Rhonda Wemhoff and ADA will be a large part of the project with lodge expansion or remodel. When visiting with Rhonda, new construction is estimated at $300/square foot. If you take out soft costs that leaves about $500,000 for construction which is approximately 1,667 square feet.
Discussion on funding
Tonya explained there is about $626,000 in funds. The committee needs to think of a realistic budget for proposals as the chance of obtaining additional funds to supplement the project is fairly low.
Next meeting
Wes and Tonya will be running these ideas by the council. We will wait for good weather to have a meeting at Snowhaven with Rhonda Wemhoff.
