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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 BSF CILP Application 1 Cash-in-lieu of Parkland Funds June 2020 Bridger Ski Foundation “Sunset Hills Snowmaking and Winter Trail Enhancements” Sunset Hills is BSF’s most popular in-town venue. More than 550 kids participate in our after-school programs. Overview The Bridger Ski Foundation was established in 1936. BSF’s mission is to inspire a lifelong love of skiing, athletic excellence, and personal growth, and to improve the health and well-being of our community by maintaining and grooming over 70 kilometers of winter recreation trails. An estimated 70,000 users enjoy the BSF-groomed trails every winter. Since BSF began grooming trails in the late 1960s, winter trail use has increased an estimated 5,000%. This boom in the popularity of our community winter trails, lack of consistent snow, and pressure on area trails and open space has put a strain on BSF’s capacity to meet the growing demand for a reliable winter recreation opportunity that is safe, affordable, accessible and fun. The 8- kilometer Sunset Hills area is the centerpiece of BSF’s 70-kilometer groomed community trail system. It is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bozeman, and an important anchor for winter recreation in Southwest Montana. BSF is applying for a $150,000 Park Improvement Grant to help cover the cost of constructing and installing a reliable state-of-the-art snowmaking system that will guarantee snow at Sunset Hills from early December through late March, ensure uninterrupted access throughout the winter even during low-snow years, address growing demand, and enhance the livability of our community. Bozeman is the fastest growing city of its size in the country and has been for the past three years. Bozeman is also an active community. Parks, trails, and trailheads all over the valley are becoming increasingly congested. This project will guarantee snow at our most popular in-town community Nordic trail so that everyone in our community can get out and recreate in the winter. Sunset Hills is also the primary location for BSF’s learn-to-ski and higher level after- school and weekend programs and training venue for the MSU ski team, Montana Endurance 2 Academy, and Bridger Biathlon Club. Snowmaking at Sunset Hills will give these programs certainty and reduce congestion at other parks and trailheads. This project will not only enhance the livability, but also benefit the physical and mental health, of our community. Despite the fact that we live in a state with an abundance of national forests and public lands, most people in our community cannot afford the time, nor do they have the resources it takes, to enjoy them. Sunset Hills is centrally located so it is easy for people to get to before and after work and school, during lunch breaks and on weekends and there is plenty of parking in the lot at Highland Boulevard and Ellis Street. There are no lines, so it is not crowded, and it is safe with good lighting. BSF does not charge a mandatory trail fee, so anyone who would like to use the trails is free to do so. In addition to being well planned (see attached Community Nordic Trail Feasibility Study), the Sunset Hills Project will be a buffer against unpredictable weather patterns, allow us to open the Nordic trails earlier, provide reliable conditions throughout the winter, and keep the trails open longer. It will ensure that our growing community can ski, sled, and recreate for free every day of the week, get outside and be healthy, guarantee that kids have easy access to healthy after-school learn-to-ski programs, and that open space at Sunset Hills is utilized year- round. Given the current situation with COVID-19, many people will choose not to take risks or be uncomfortable travelling out of state for the next couple years if not longer. They will stay closer to home. As such there will be a greater demand on area trails and greater need for reliable, convenient and family-friendly alternatives like Sunset Hills. There is no other park project like this in Bozeman. This project is consistent with the goals of Bozeman’s PROST plan: “To enhance the quality of life of the City’s citizens through the provision of high-quality parks, recreation facilities and programs, trails, and open spaces.” This project serves everyone in our community and supports our City’s slogan, “Bozeman: The Most Livable Place.” Describe existing conditions in park BSF has been responsible for maintaining and grooming the trails at Sunset Hills since the 1960s. We have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into equipment, staff, improving and maintaining the trails, getting them ready in the fall, grooming them in the winter, and transitioning them at the end of the spring for summer and fall activities. We have experts on staff who are dedicated to trail development and maintenance. The BSF Nordic trails committee is made up of BSF staff, Board members, parents, and community and business representatives who help set strategic planning for the winter trails and consider use and management matters that arise from the trails program. This project is well-planned and was identified as a key economic development project by the 2014 Community Trails Feasibility Study (CTFS), a professionally conducted community master plan that BSF commissioned with funding from the LOR Foundation. BSF hired the SE Group to conduct this study which evaluated existing and potential winter trail offerings, and ways that winter trails can enhance community livability and benefit our local and state economy. One 3 component of the CTFS, a 47-question survey that garnered 670 responses, revealed an overwhelming preference for reliable snow and more frequent grooming at Sunset Hills rather than adding more groomed trails to the system. Based on the findings of the CTFS, the SE Group recommended focusing on winter trail enhancements and the construction of snowmaking at Sunset Hills. In December 2007 the kids really did try to ski on the grass at Sunset Hills they were so desperate. 2012 was another low snow year. Skiing at Sunset Hills (fka Lindley) lasted just 17 days that winter. More than 30 places in North America use snowmaking to provide guaranteed access to winter recreation. In ALL cases, snowmaking has proven to be a reliable and popular community amenity. Snowmaking at Sunset Hills is entirely feasible and, as noted in the CTFS, more reliable and affordable than ever before. BSF already has some snowmaking infrastructure in place, including a well that supplies water at Sunset Hills. BSF made snow from 2005-2010. The old system became outdated and no longer functions. This project is an upgrade to the old system. While our primary motivation for this project is to enhance the livability, health and well-being of our community, we recognize the economic benefits of snowmaking at Sunset Hills will also positively contribute to the financial health and well-being of our local economy. With snowmaking at Sunset Hills, BSF will also be able to host more regional and national- caliber ski races. One two-day regional race at Sunset Hills could generate roughly $200,000 in non-resident revenue. The economic benefit and tourism draw of senior national races is even higher. The US National Championships and National Super Tour organizers have expressed interest in staging races in Bozeman if they have the certainty of snowmaking. Proposed improvements BSF is proposing to install a state-of-art snowmaking system at Sunset Hills that will guarantee winter recreation opportunities and meet the needs and demands of our community for reliable, consistent, safe and affordable in-town winter recreation and be a safeguard during low snow years. BSF is listed as one of the entities partnering with the City on trails development and maintenance. There is a long-standing relationship in place (PROST page 88). BSF is also listed as a potential partner for trail development (PROST page 159). This project will develop and enhance the trails at Sunset Hills so that our community can use and enjoy them year-round. 4 There is no in-town park with guaranteed winter recreation in the City at this time. This project will be a game changer for Bozeman and everyone in our community. One of Bozeman’s most desirable community characteristics is “access to outdoor amenities and recreation.” This project will significantly contribute to the quality of life in our community in numerous ways that the PROST plan envisioned: Objective 1: Engaging Citizens in Their Community. This project will · Create a sense of community and · Provide places for people to connect and interact in a shared environment. Objective 2: Improving Public Health. This project will · Provide people with contact with nature, known to confer certain health benefits and enhance well-being. · Engage children in health-promoting physical activity. · Increase fitness and reduce obesity by providing physical activity opportunities. Objective 3: Helping children learn. This project will · Engage children in informal, experiential learning through play and shared experiences with peers, laying the foundation for effective formal education. Objective 4: Creating Safer Neighborhoods. This project will · Provide access to nature adjacent to residential area to relieve stress, reducing aggression. · Offer gathering places where neighbors form social ties that produce stronger, safer neighborhoods. Objective 5: Revitalizing Community. This project will ·Attract investment through revitalization, including park and recreation improvements. Objective 9: Promoting Tourism. This project will · Provide sites for special events and festivals that attract tourists. · Provide sites for sports tournaments, which can be major sources of tourism and economic benefits, especially for smaller cities. Objective 10: Implementing Smart Growth. This project will · Strengthen the urban core. Projected outcome A $150,000 Park Improvement Grant to put in a snowmaking system at Sunset Hills will allow BSF to meet the needs and demands of our community for reliable, consistent, safe and affordable in-town winter recreation and be a safeguard during low snow years. The anticipated increase in use and income associated with our ability to offer guaranteed snow at Sunset Hills will be measured with electronic counters at trail access points, the number of youth and adults participating in our programs, voluntary trail pass sales, and the number of community events and races that are hosted at Sunset Hills. Our goal is to see an overall increase in trail use of 50%, an increase in the number of school children involved in BSF’s after school and weekend programs of 20%, and the number of adults participating in our programs to increase by 25% within the next five years. 5 Thousands of kids have learned to ski at Sunset Hills. Thousands of adults enjoy Sunset Hills too during lunch, after work, and on weekends. With guaranteed snow at Sunset Hills we will be able to host more fun community events, as well as national and international races right in town. The economic benefit of this will be significant. For example, the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage, which has snowmaking at their in-town trails, has hosted 25 national ski events that have generated approximately $5.5 million. BSF was established in 1936 and has been grooming public ski trails for more than 50 years. We have the experience to achieve project success. This project supports the Bozeman PROST Plan, aligns with the BSF mission and business model, and is shovel ready. A $150,000 Park Improvement Grant will be a capstone grant for this project. We anticipate completion by December 2020. Proposed time frame for completion This project is shovel ready. The timeline for the implementation and installation of the Sunset Hills snowmaking system is as follows: o Fall 2017 through February 2020 – Finalization of the engineering, construction, City approval and permitting process, and installation related logistics of the proposed snowmaking system. o March – May 2020 – Order all equipment needed and listed for the project. o June 2020 – Complete fundraising. o June – July 2020 – Delivery of all equipment. o May – November 2020 – Construction and installation of snowmaking system, underground piping, cisterns, and pump house. o November 2020 – Construction completed, and expenses paid. o Mid-December 2020 – Snowmaking begins, and Sunset Hills opens to the public. BSF is responsible for ongoing maintenance, management and funding at Sunset Hills. The estimated annual cost to maintain and operate the new 8-kilometer snowmaking system is approximately $5,000 a year for the first two years, and $10,000 a year thereafter. We are confident that we can cover this cost with an anticipated 25% increase in voluntary trail pass sales due to improved conditions and awareness that BSF is responsible for providing the snowmaking at Sunset Hills. The BSF board of directors will allocate funding for Sunset Hills each year based on the indicated anticipated costs, and in future years on historic and anticipated costs, at their annual organizational planning and budget meeting in April. 1 Cash in Lieu of Parkland Funds Grant Application June 2020 Bridger Ski Foundation ATTACHMENT I Please also see attached • Site map showing the park and the location of the proposed improvements. • North arrow orientation and details of the proposed site improvements. • Describe in detail the recreational needs to be met by the proposed improvements (activities, passive uses, baseball, playground, tennis, picnic areas, etc.) This project serves the community at large. Sunset Hills is a special use park, similar to the Westlake BMX and the new Sports Park, that will be enjoyed by everyone in our community. Sunset Hills is centrally located across the street from Bozeman Health and the east side softball fields, adjacent to Lindley Park and Peet’s Hill, a few blocks from Bogert Park and about a mile from Beall Park. Sunset Hills is heavily used year-round. The City Rec Department uses Sunset Hills and the Lindley Rec Center year-round for various classes and activities. Area bike clubs, Bozeman Youth Cycling, and Team Rockford use the trails at Sunset Hills for summer and fall clinics and fall cyclocross events. Bozeman High School, MSU, and the Bozeman Track Club use Sunset Hills for cross country, running, and sports training. Individuals, friends, and families enjoy the trails at Sunset Hills during the spring, summer, and fall to bike, run, hike, walk, stroll, dog walk, and recreate. During the winter, Sunset Hills is the most popular and heavily used in-town community Nordic ski venue. Because of its central location, it is easy for people to get to before and after work and school, during lunch breaks and on weekends and there is plenty of parking in the lot at Highland Boulevard and Ellis Street. There are no lines, so it is not crowded, and it is safe with good lighting. BSF does not charge a mandatory trail fee, so anyone who would like to use the trails is free to do so. The Sunset Hills winter trails have been a central part of the BSF partnership with the City of Bozeman and since the late 1960s. They are also the primary location for BSF’s learn-to-ski and higher level after-school and weekend programs and an important training venue for the MSU ski team, Montana Endurance Academy, and Bridger Biathlon Club. Snowmaking at Sunset Hills will give these programs certainty and reduce congestion at other parks and trailheads. BSF also has a strong adult and master's program, a learn-to-ski program for the YMCA, and an exceptional elite team that has developed many world-class skiers and Olympians. Our programs run, on average, 25 to 30 hours a week. Multiplied by our number of participants, we have a total engagement of 4,000 to 5,000 hours a week, 45 weeks a year. Bozeman is the fastest growing city of its size in the country. Bozeman is also an active community. Parks, trails, and trailheads all over the valley are becoming increasingly congested. This project will draw more people to Sunset Hills and relieve pressure at other parks and trails. 2 The Bridger Ski Foundation has, for over 50 years, given our community a place to recreate for free in the winter and helped thousands of youth develop fortitude, discipline, camaraderie, and skills through sports that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. During the winter we offer recreational, educational, and competitive ski programs. Summer and fall programs include mountain biking, hiking, running and organized games/sports. Studies show that physically active children and adults are healthier, happier, and less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, thus less likely to incur health care related expenses. Additional research shows a positive relationship between neighborhood open space and physical activity and that people in communities with access to abundant open spaces generally enjoy better health. • Describe in detail the level of community and neighborhood support for this project: The Bridger Ski Foundation has raised $708,115 for this project. The total cost of this project is $979,000. This project is shovel ready. Contractors are in place and ready to begin construction. They are donating in-kind services and providing most work at cost. BSF has secured a loan to cover the balance of funding needed for this project ($271,000). BSF has received donations from individuals ($259,459), foundations ($304,000) businesses ($32,000) and in-kind ($112,656). A $150,000 Park Improvement Grant will be greatly leveraged with the existing funds that have been raised ($708,000). BSF intends to raise the balance of funding needed $121,000 with a public fund raiser, events, and the greater intermountain ski community. Over the years, in addition to building a strong base of financial support, the Bridger Ski Foundation has developed solid partnerships that anchor the long-term success of this project. The Bozeman and Belgrade Chambers of Commerce, Yellowstone Country Montana tourism region, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport have reviewed and endorsed this project. BSF also has strong and long-standing partnerships with the following organizations and their support is critical to the success of this project: BSF has an MOU/long-term use agreement with the City of Bozeman to make snow and groom the public trails at Sunset Hills for all to enjoy. The City provides in-kind support for equipment storage during the winter season, snow plowing, and pre-season trails mowing. BSF maintains and is solely responsible for the cost of grooming the Sunset Hills trails. Bozeman Health donates the use of their land at Highland Glen. Highland Glen is adjacent to and allows BSF to extend its groomed winter trail system an additional 7.5 kilometers from Sunset Hills. Bozeman Health’s support is in-kind. BSF works closely with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) to develop year-round community trails, improve trailhead and road access, and support outdoor recreation. GVLT also allows BSF to replace the summertime information on their trailhead kiosks at Sunset Hills with winter information, trail maps, facts, and mileages so when users arrive they have an instant lay of the land. GVLT’s support is in-kind. 3 BSF also partners with the U.S. Forest Service, Bridger Creek Golf Course, Montana State University, Sacajawea Middle School, Friends of Hyalite, Eagle Mount, Big Sky Wind Drinkers running club, Bozeman Women's Activity Group, and the Bridger Biathlon Club. These partners donate in-kind time and resources to help us maintain our winter recreation resources. Local businesses including Barnard Construction, Bangtail Bike and Ski, C&H Engineering, First Security Bank, Gallatin Tree Care, Kenyon Noble, Liberty Electric, Martel Construction, Quantum Composers, REI, Roundhouse Sports, Sime Construction, Simkins Hallin, and Williams Plumbing have made significant cash and in-kind donations to this project. Gallatin County recognizes winter grooming and trail efforts as a key recreation benefit for residents and visitors. The County Roads Department provides plowing services. C&H Engineering has donated trail engineering, mapping, and design services at no charge because it recognizes the community and economic benefit of this project. • Estimated number of users of the proposed park improvement or facility related to this project: 30,000 estimated user visits. 3,000 estimated users. 84,349 BSF on-line grooming report visits.