June Lake CA Rodeo Grounds: Two steps forward, two steps back
Posted by MRECB1 at 6/14/2008 10:44 AM and is filed under uncategorized 
June 13, 2008
|
Who will be the first to implement the vision By Stacey Powells Mammoth Times Staff Writer  Architect
renditions of the patio restaurant as well as one of the courtyards in
the middle of the resort core PHOTOS COURTESY OF INTRAWEST “They have responded to the concerns we all had at the last meeting,” added resident Duncan King. “Some of us still have a few reservations about what we are seeing versus what will actually happen.” When and if the Rodeo Grounds project becomes a reality is still of great concern to many residents and business owners of June Lake but it seems as though Intrawest is bending over backwards to implement all the community's concerns into their development plans. “At the last meeting we had more of a focus on the resort core and introduced architect Mike Huggins with Burrowes-Huggins Architects who talked about mountain architecture,” said Director of Development Brianne Parham. “It was about finding the character of June Lake, introducing the players to the community and telling them where the team was headed.” After the last meeting Intrawest went back and ran workshops with consultants who took all the comments made by the community. “We heard that they really wanted to see the visual simulations and what the architecture would look like,” Parham said. “We came back with a lot more information in terms of the sections in elevations, how the townhomes will be layered and how it will look in terms of the 'camp' concept that has a rustic elegance feel to it. The community seemed to really resonate with that concept. From the architecture to the landscape and nature surrounding the project we wanted to bring in the feel of the resort to the community this meeting.” Concerns such as overflow parking, traffic, services to the people, the size of the development and how it will affect the drainage in the Mono Lake Basin aside, the entire proposal is like a Catch 22. Intrawest wants to make sure that the much-needed improvements to June Mountain Ski area will be a go and Carl Williams, General Manager of June Mountain, said the ski area won't start with improvements until Intrawest breaks ground across the street. “We would need a guarantee that there will be improvements at June Mountain Ski Area before we can break ground,” said Douglas Ogilvy, Vice President of the Southwest Region, Intrawest. “We need to know what Carl is going to do in terms of keeping the mountain running for the community.” “I like what they've done so far,” said Williams. “They are on the edge of making it all work, including the idea of adding 1,000 beds to the area. They've reduced the square footage significantly to reduce the impact but if they make it any smaller it's not going to work for us.” Once plans get approved and the permits are pulled from the County, both sides will come to the table and work out the details. Community member Tony F. doesn't own a business in June Lake but shared the sentiments of many business owners in June Lake who were at the meeting. “We need this business and we need this project. We need people here for the businesses to survive.” |
Comments