PC Recreation Advisory Board Response from Ken Fisher:

Happy Saturday Supporters!

We are nearing the 300 signature mark - WOW!

I also have received a response from Ken Fisher with the PC Recreation Advisory Board:

"Have you reached out to Vail to see if you can persuade them to start night skiing again?  This seems like a much better option as they have the parking & infrastructure in place.  They have lights on the 3-kings, first-time area.  Round Valley is under a conservation easement that would likely not allow the installation of any mechanical lifts.  We have done many community surveys over the years and such a facility has never even been mentioned.  It would be difficult to recommend public tax dollars go towards such a facility when there are many competing interests for funding.

What about the lack of snow (not this year)?  Likely snowmaking would be needed due to the lower elevation."

My Response to him:

"Thanks for your reply!

Basin Recreation and the Recreation Advisory Board were my first appeals. I do have it on my list to approach Vail and try to get a conversation going about how their PCMR bunny hill and carpet can become more accessible for kids. The after-hours skiing would be perfect for kids and yes, the existing infrastructure for lighting, parking, and snowmaking does make it a great option. 

I will make note of this if the time comes to need to approach them. If you have a specific contact that you have and would recommend, that would be helpful. Getting a response from Vail is never easy. 

My thought on snow levels was a "based-on-weather approach." I agree, snowmaking will most likely not be an option. Thus, each year would be dependent upon snow. Perhaps we can work with the city to deliver/repurpose snow to the hill that is trucked out while clearing roads and neighborhoods? There is always a way, but I do understand this could be the one issue out of our control. If we don't try, it will never be discussed. 

My guess is that a bunny hill was outside the scope of what our community thought would be possible based on cost and grandiose.  Also, we have never had to pay for parking at PCMR until this year. This has caused a terrible hurdle all around in parents/guardians being able to get their children to the hill. 

For example, last year I was able to get my toddler to the PCMR magic carpet at least 15 times; this year we have only gone THREE times at the beginning of the season when parking was free. We have not been back since. My guess is the community did not propose a town bunny hill because there was not as great of a need as there is now. My petition is up to 250 signatures this morning, and counting. I also noticed the Basin Recreation interactive map had a few town bunny hill suggestions even prior to my addition. The community is interested...

More pickleball courts can wait for the sake of the town's children.

Thanks for your input, Ken! I will add those Vail notes to my working list. If you have any insight on who to contact, I would love for you to share it!"

Vail and Woodward are both next on my list to contact based on the outcome of Basin Recreation's planning progress. It is possible I may reach out to them sooner than that in an effort to plant the seed and see what can come of it. 

I am receiving opinions that are opposed to a town bunny hill, as it would mean taxpayers front the bill. I can understand that individuals feel that another SKIING option is not in their interest. However, I would hope that enough community members can come together in support of the children and families in this town - that is based on skiing - to encourage a bunny hill, plus the additional improvements that many others are asking for. 

Basin Recreation will be spending money on their master plan. It would be great for a bunny hill to be included in those expenses... not IN ADDITION TO what will already be spent. 

Please keep SHARING the link to this petition. More voices, more proof!

- Kayla