HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 - Items for Discussion/Information, Update on Boulder Nordic Club Snowmaking Pilot ProjectU`~~ ~F BOtjlO~~+
~...- 'r'/` ~~~ .
Parks & Recreation
Memorandum
TO: Chris Dropinski, Duector of Parks and Recreation
Sazah DeSouza, City Liaison Contract Manager
Staffofthe Pazks and Recreation Department
City Liaison Office
for VALMONT CITY PARK
770 Burbank Street
Broomfield, CO 80020
(303) 439-8369
Fax: (303) 466-4063
Email: tlowtg@mindspring.com
FROM: Teresa Grills and Diana Royce Smith, City Liaison Office
DATE: November 27, 2000
RE: Update on Boulder Nordic Club Snowmaking P~lot Project
Snowmaking Test - Public Notification, Noise, Etc
`"" Backgmund
t~ On October 23`d' 2000, we presented the proposal for the Pilot Project for Snowmaking to PRAB.
~ A suggestion was made by PRAB member Charlie Manlove that the project should include a
preliminary test of noise and any public response prior to the pilot project starting. BNC has
worked with us to conduct th~s test. The test was conducted on November 21~` from 9- 10 pm
BNC not~fied all neighbors within 1/3 mile of the pazk by hand placing a half page flyer on their
residence that stated:
Public Notice
Boulder Nordic Club (BNC) wtll be makrng snow at Yalmont Crty Park
on one day between November 21" to 23rd from 6 pm to Ilpm
Snowmaking will be dependent upon suffictently low ambient temperature
If you have arry question or concerns, please call
Teresa Grills, City Liaeson Office, at (303) 439-8369
In addition, BNC members placed flyers in the offices of the neazby mobile home parks, and
posted them at the Temporary Dog Park. The City L~aison Office also emailed this notice to the
residerns we have m our database (approx. 15), who aze primarily the leaders of the various
homeowners groups.
• As ofNovember 27th, the City Liaison Office received one phone call from a neazby
resident He had not heazd anything duruig the test time. He wanted to inquire about
whether BNC (and the Ciry) would be using potable or non-potable water on the pazk
"'~'' site. He was told that BNC had used treated water from a city hydrant, that BNC covered
~`"' all eacpenses for the water and power and test, and that the current plan includes using
treated water for the pilot project. In addition we eacplained about the City and BNC
initially using treated water on VCP, and the plan for the irrigation pond and transfer to
this water source when funding is available. He was friendly and interested and sazd to
please put him on future email releases about VCP.
According to Don Gini, of BNC, the test started at 8:55 pm and the generator ran for 5
minutes to warm up. The snow guns then ran with the generator for one hour The test
was done just north of the Temporary Dog Pazk azea, neaz the hydrant. The temperature
was 28 degrees F, and the snowmaking was marginally successfiil (more like slush) at
that relatively high temperature. They did not measure the specific decibels from the test,
but according to Mr. Gini, the noise from the airport, trains, Valmont traffic, and
specifically compressors &om the neazby industrial pazk often drowned out the sound of
the snow gu~s when you walked more than 25 feet to the west.
Based on this limited public response and the reports, there were no additional limiting
concerns identified from this test. Mr. Gmi has suggested that future constraints that BNC
needs to address in the Pilot Project include:
o the air temperature must be cold
o the temperature of the water should be cold
o is using hydrant water the best method?
o the process requires a large amount of manpower, usually in the middle of the
mght
o funding for the ongoing power and water costs
."'~
Neat Steps
BNC has proposed to walk the site wrth the City Liaison and key staff members (Kate B., Bob P.
and Ann W.) on December 4'" at 10 am in order to site the trail. Once the trail is sited, pazking ~. "~
and access will take place off of the Temporary Dog Pazk access lot.
Assuming approval, the project can begm sometime azound December 6`~, and end in the Spring,
wrth documentation due from BNC to the City Liaison Office on Apnl 15~', 2001. If, at anytime,
we identify a reason for the pro~ect to come to a halt, we will notify Boulder Nordic Club, and
they will cease performance ofthe Pdot Pro~ect.
All other steps identified as necessary for the start of tlvs PIlot Pro~ect have been addressed and
unplemented. At this point, the pilot project will use hydrant water. To date, we have not found
any overtly limiting reasons or problems with the Pflot Project proposal. Assuming a suitable
trail can be sited in coordination with staff on the December 4`~ site walk, the Pilot Pro~ect will
begin shortly thereafter (weather permitting). A memorandum outluring the parameters of the
project will be written by Boulder Nordic Club with the City Liaison, and submitted to the Pazks
and Recreation Department at that tune.
-.,.,