Howelsen Hill Master Plan Draft 2014

8/10/2019 Howelsen Hill Master Plan Draft 2014

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HOWELSEN PARK

MASTER PLAN

DRAFT 1.0

OCTOBER 24 2014


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TableofContents

Introduction 3

CurrentInputExistingConditions 7

MapofHowelsenPark 8

CurrentInputPublicEngagement 10

PublicSurvey/Poll 13

Recommendations 20

EstimatedCapitalCostsandOperatingCosts 25


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Introduction

HowelsenParkhasbeenapartofSteamboatSpringsandnorthernColoradosincetheearly1900s.The

161acrepark(CityGIS)hostsavarietyofrecreationalopportunitiesthatresidentsandguestscontinue

toenjoy.HowelsenHillhasplayedamajorroleinshapingthehistoryofSteamboatSprings.

HowelsenHillSkiAreaisknownasoneoftheearliestsitesforcompetitiveskijumpingintheUnitedStatesandisalsooneoftheoldestmunicipallyownedskiareasinthecountry.Howelsenalsoplayshost

tonationalrodeoeventsattheRomickArena;HowelsenIceArenaservesasthehomeiceforthe

SteamboatSpringsHighSchoolHockeyTeamandothericesports.TheparkalsohostsTripleCrown

SportswherehundredsofteamscompeteeachsummerintheTripleCrownWorldSeries.InAugustof

2014,HowelsenHillandtheSteamboatcommunityplayedhosttotheInternationalMountainBicycling

Association(IMBA)Conferenceandmanytrailsattheparkwereusedbyamateursandprofessional

cyclistsalike.Itistrulyayearroundplayground.

InAprilof2014,theCityofSteamboatSprings(City)embarkedonamasterplanningeffortthatwould

identifyexistingusesatthepark,meetwithcommunitystakeholdersandfocusgroupstoidentifythe

opportunitiesand

constraints

of

the

park,

engage

the

public

through

meetings

and

an

email

and

online

survey,andprovideatenyearvisionforthepark.

Process

ItisimportanttounderstandpreviousplanningeffortsatHowelsenPark,capturenewdataand

information,andformulaterecommendedactionsatthepark.Belowisalistofmasterandstrategic

planningdocumentsthathaveaddressedthepark.

PreviousPlanningEfforts

The

city

has

produced

plans

since

1990

that

have

included

Howelsen

Park

in

its

discussion

and

analysis.

Belowisasynopsisofknownplanningeffortsthathavebeenincludedinthiscurrentanalysisof

HowelsenParkstartingoutwiththeinitial1990HowelsenHillMasterPlan.

2011CityofSteamboatSpringsEconomicStrategy

ThisbroadbaseddocumentaddressedeconomicstrategiesthatwouldpromotetheCityofSteamboat

Springsinareasincludingairtravel,businessdevelopment,waterrightsfirming,partnershipswithlocal

groups,streamliningcityprocessesandleveragingcommunityassetsandresources;includingHowelsen

ParkandHill.

Somerecreationbasedhighlightsofthestrategyinclude:

Completeadeferredmaintenanceinventoryandbudgetannuallytoaddress theissueswitha

goaltoresolveallissueswithinthenextfifteen(15)years

Establishapolicyofrequiringthefundingoforplanforfundingongoingoperationsand

maintenancecostsfornewcapitalconstructionpriortoconstruction

PartnerwiththeWinterSportsClubonHowelsenimprovements

Continuetosupportspecialeventfunding

FollowthroughontheAreaMasterPlanandconnecttrailsandsidewalks


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Developandpromotenonskiseasonactivities

BikeTownUSAisafocus;applyfortheColoradoRegionalTourismActTIF

Continuetosupportsummerspecialevents,satisfythetermsoftheTripleCrowncontractand

pursueotherevents

2009

City

of

Steamboat

Springs

Parks

and

Recreation

Master

Plan

Thismasterplanlookedcomprehensivelyatparksandrecreationservicesinthecity.Inadditionto

Strategy9.3whichstatedtoPrepareNewMasterPlansforKeyParksandFacilities,including

Howelsen,theplanidentifiedkeysubjectareastoaddress.

Strategy4.1UnderstandingHowParkMaintenanceDollarsareSpent:formulationofa

MaintenanceGuidelinesandProceduresManualshouldbeundertaken(currentlyunderway)

Strategy4.2DetermineTrueCostofSpecialEventSupport:withover3,000hoursannually

spentonprovidingsupportforspecialeventsannually,thedepartmentshouldarticulatethe

costoftheseeventsandtheirimpactsonannualbudgets(currentlyunderway)

Strategy5.1ResearchPotentialTraditionalFundingOpportunities:theplancallsforexploring

communitywillingness

for

adedicated

tax

to

support

parks

and

recreation

programs

and

services

Strategy5.2PursueAlternativeFundingtoImplementtheMasterPlan:thegoalseeksto

identifyopportunitiestoincreasecommunitysupportandrevenueopportunitiessuchasgrants,

partnerships,sponsorshipsandvolunteers

Strategy6.1EnhanceRecreationalOpportunitiesforIdentifiedPopulations:stepsinclude

consideringfutureactivitiesandevents(nonsport)foradultpopulationsandresearchthe

feasibilityofateenfriendlyfacilitycoincidingwiththeproposedadditionattheIceArenawhich

wouldincludeconcessions,agameroom,interactiveplayareasandotheramenities

Strategy6.2ContinueAssessmentofCurrentRecreationFacilityConditionandConduciveness:

actionstepcallsforevaluationandadequacyofrecreationalspacesincludingspacelimitations

totypes

of

activities

that

can

be

provided,

health

and

safety

concerns,

storage

limitations

and

otherspacecharacteristicsthatadverselyaffectrecreationalprogramprovision

Strategy9.2BringExistingParksuptoStandards:lowfacilityscoreswerefoundatthe

playgroundsatHowelsenParkandtheneedforyearroundrestroomfacilitieswere

recommendedfordevelopmentsinceSteamboatSpringsisayearroundoutdoorcommunity

Strategy9.4AddNewParksandFacilities:intheactionsteps,bulletthree,plannersindicated

thatcoordinationwithdevelopersandothersshouldbeinitiatedtoidentifyopportunitiesto

createnewcommunityparkfacilitiesandconsidermovingsomeexistingcomponentsoutofthe

downtownarea(someoftheballfieldsandsportsfields)

2009HowelsenHillRodeoFacilityMasterPlan

NorrisDesignwasretainedin2009toproduceamasterplanfortherodeofacility.Theplanproduceda

redevelopmentprogramthatfocusedonanimalandparticipantsafetyandreorganizedandenhanced

existingfeaturestomakethefacilitymoreuserfriendly.

Highlightsoftheplanincludereconfiguringtheprimaryandwarmuparenas,upgradingseating

throughoutthefacility,improvingparkingatthesite,creatingapedestrianfriendlyplazaareafor

concessionsandpatrons,providingnewchuteandpinareasforanimaluse,andredevelopingscoring


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andannouncerareas.The$4.3millionprojecthasreceivedaGreatOutdoorsColorado(GOCO)grant

focusedonthechutesandpinareasandhasothersafetyprojectsunderway.

2008SteamboatSpringsAreaOpenSpaceandTrailsMasterPlan(OSTMP)

TheOSTMPprovidesadetailedinventoryoftheCitysexistingopenspaceandtrails

resources. Additionally,itprovidesdirectionforthefutureimprovement,expansionandmanagementofthoseresourceswithgoalsandstrategies. Avisionforopenspaceandtrailswasformalized,

opportunityareaswereidentifiedforfuturepreservationandrecommendationsweremadeforatrail

classificationsystemtoguideafunctionalinterconnectedtrailsystemwithintheprojectarea.

TheOSTMPnotedthatOpenSpaceandTrailsiswidelysupportedbythecommunityyetthereisnota

dedicatedfundingsourcetoprovideareliablerevenuestreamforacquisition,managementand

maintenanceoftheseresources. EmeraldMountainishometoapproximately29milesoftrailsand

over1000acresofconservedand/ormanagedopenspace.

2007StrategicTransitionPlanforYouthandTeenPrograms

Thisinternalstrategicplanfocusedonprevious,current(asof2007)andpotentialyouthandteen

programmingcapabilitiesoftherecreationdivisionanditsuseofcityandpartnerfacilities.Theplan

includedprogramparameterswhichincludedthescopeofprogramsthatareprovidedatTheIglooand

otherpartnerfacilitiesandanylicensurerequirementsthatproposedprogramsmusthaveforfuture

consideration.

Optionsconsideredincluded:

RetainingTheIglooandremodelthefacilityuntilamorepermanentfacilityisbuilt

MoveprogramstoschoolsandcontinuesatelliteTeenPrograms

Developthe

proposed

Recreation

Center

and

use

spaces

for

youth

and

teen

programming

BuildtheadditionalphaseoftheIceArenaandincludetransitionalspaceforyouthandteen

programming

PurchasenewmodularbuildingstoreplaceTheIgloo

TheplanincludednextstepsforupgradingTheIgloountilamorepermanentsolutionissetinmotion.

2004HowelsenParkBallfieldMasterPlanReport

Thisreportprovidesdirectionforimprovementstothesoftball/baseballfieldsatHowelsenPark.The

improvementsscheduledwouldbefundedbytheincreasedsalestaxrevenuecollectedbytheCityof

SteamboatSpringsfromlocalactivitiesgeneratedbyTripleCrownSports(TCS).AmericanCivil

Constructors(ACC),theconsultantgroup,providedalistofsystemwideimprovementsandindividual

fieldupgrades.Thereportstatedthatitdoesnotaddressanylongrangemasterplanningrelativetore

arrangingfieldsorparking.

Systemwideimprovementsincludedanewirrigationmainlinefromthepumphousetoeachfieldas

wellasupgradingcontrollers.Theseupdateswouldallowforbetterirrigationcoverageandmore

efficientoperationsofwateruseatthefields.


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CurrentInputExistingConditions

HowelsenParkisa161acreregionalparkandopenspacethatfeaturesavarietyofpassiveandactive

recreation.Theparkfeaturesmanysportareas,asshownonthemaponthefollowingpage,andtiesin

manyfamilyplayareasfornoncompetitiveactivities.TheparkisbestknownforHowelsenHill;an

AlpineandNordicskicomplexthathashostedOlympicathletes,numerousskievents,bikingseries,the

freesummerconcertsandishometotheSteamboatSpringsWinterSportsClub(SSWSC).ThehillareahasalodgethatfeaturesOlympianHall;alargemeetingroomthatcanberentedbythepublic,the

wintertubinghill,AlpineSlide,thePomaLiftandchairlift.Thelightedskihill,whichboastsskijumping

atdifferinglevelsofdifficultyandlengthisopentothepublicinseason.TheAlpineSlideisasummer

activitywhichisrunbytheSSWSC.

AnotherhighlightoftheparkistheHowelsenHillrodeofacilityandBrentRomickArena.Thefacility

playshosttovariousrodeocircuitsfromJunethroughthefirstweekofSeptember.Thefacilityhasan

existingfacilitymasterplanthatcallsforapproximately$4.3millioninimprovements.Thecityhas

partneredwiththeSteamboatSpringsRodeoBoardthispastyeartomakesafetyimprovementstothe

pensandgatesandhopestoprovideadditionalimprovementstothearenagroundsin2015.

Fourlightednaturalturfbaseball/softballfieldsarelocatedatthepark.Thefieldshostmanylocal

leagues,recreationprograms,andannuallyprovideahomefortheTripleCrownSportsbaseball

tournamentandworldseries. Thefieldscanbeusedforothersports,likeyouthsoccerandalsoserveas

Nordicskitrailsinthewintermonths.

TheHowelsenIceArenaisanindoorfacilitythathasanOlympicsizedicesheet,lockerfacilities,skate

rentaldesk,retailshop,andlobbyarea.TheArenaofferspublicskate,stickandpucksessions,special

events,skatingandhockeylessons,andnumerousleagues.Thefacilityacquiredicebumpercarsin2013

andtheuseofthesecarshasincreasedovertheyear.

The

park

features

many

court

areas

for

the

public

to

enjoy.

Lighted

tennis

and

sand

volleyball

courts

are

locatedincloseproximitytoalargepavilion,playground,theskiareaandbaseballfields.Thetennis

courtswererecentlypaintedtoallowforpickleballandsandvolleyballleaguesandplayhaveincreased

overthepastyear.

Thehillareaoffersnumeroustrailsforbiking,hiking,Nordic,orleisurewalking.In2014,thecityadded

anadditional4.2mileMorningGloriaTrailtoHowelsenHill.Theadditionofthistrailincreasedthe

singletracktrailofferingsattheparkandallowsforuserstohavemoreareasforspecializedtrailusage.

Moretrailsegmentsareproposedas2AAccommodationsTaxmoniesareallocatedtoimproveorcreate

trailsthroughoutthecity,includingHowelsen.

ABMXparkandskateparkarelocatedatthewesternedgeofthepark.Theparkisfreetothepublic

andhosts

lessons

and

events.

A

small

gazebo

and

parking

area

is

located

in

close

proximity

to

the

amenities.

Horsestables,locatednearthehillandtherodeogroundsoffertrailridesthroughaprivate

concessionaire.Recentestimatesshowasmallincreaseinannualridershipatthestablesandthestables

areinneedofupgrade. Staffprimarilyturnsonwaterfortheseasonthenwinterizesthefacilityforthe

concessionaire.


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INSERTMAPOFPARK


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Concessionandrestroomfacilitiesarehousedindifferentlocationsthroughouttheparkandareclosed

duringthewintermonths.The9thInningBuildinghasaconcessionandrestroomarea,therodeo

groundshasconcessionsandrestroomsforeventsandthelodgeandicearenahasvendingand

restroomfacilitiesforusers.


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CurrentInputPublicEngagement

Thismasterplanningeffortwasfocusedongeneratingasmuchpublicinputaspossibleandmakethe

documentpubliclydriven.Fromtheoutset,theprojectteamdesiredtoengageusers,potentialuser

groups,downtownmerchants,civicorganizations,andthegeneralpublictoidentifyexistingusesatthe

park.ThelistbelowidentifieswhatusescurrentlyoccuratHowelsenPark.

AlpineSkiOperations Baseball/Softball/Kickball Equestrian

NordicSkiing Tennis/Pickleball IceSports

Tubing AlpineSlide Mountain/FatBiking

Hiking PlaygroundUse Picnicking

Jogging/Walking Rodeo Concerts

Volleyball Slacklining NatureViewing

OlympianHallEvents CorporateOutings Soccer

SpecialEvents(4thofJuly) YouthCamps WinterSportsClub

Afteridentifyingwhatusesoccurredatthepark,theprojectteamthenidentifiedpotential

stakeholders/groups(see

below).

The

following

individuals

or

organizations

were

contacted

in

order

to

meettodiscussthepark,itsopportunities,challenges,whatmadetheparkthecommunitygemitisand

whatthreatshaveorcouldimpactHowelsenParkslongtermsustainability.Thequestionsaskedare

showninAppendixA.

SteamboatSpringsWinterSportsClub(SSWSC) SombreroStables

NordicCouncil ColoradoMountainCollege

MainStreetSteamboat TripleCrownSports

SteamboatTennisCommittee SustainabilityCouncil

RouttCountyRiders(RCR) RodeoBoard

FreeConcertSeries TeenCouncil

Skateboard

Alliance

BMX

Park

Rider

Groups

YouthProgramUsers SteamboatSpringsLittleLeague

SteamboatSpringsHighSchool(SSHS) DiscGolfUserGroups

SteamboatSpringsChamberResortAssociation FriendsoftheYampa

STARS(AdaptiveRecreation) ParkProgramGroups

IRAC YouthHockeyGroups

ParkVendors SteamboatHistoricalCommission

Staffmetwiththesegroupsoverathreeweekperiod.

StakeholderMeetingFindingsSummary

Stakeholdersoverwhelmingly

feel

that

Howelsen

Park

is

central

to

the

community

and

an

historic

part

ofSteamboatSprings.Individualsstatedthatitsproximitytodowntown,theYampaRiver,and

abundanceofrecreationopportunitiesmakesitthecoreofthecity.

Stakeholdersfavorskiing,icearenaactivities,theconcertseries,mountainbiking,hiking,andfield

sportsasthemostwidelyusedactivities.Thetennis/pickleballcourts,sandvolleyballareaand

playgroundwerealsomentionedasgreatplacestorecreateorhangout.Mostpeopledonotusethe

horsestables,BMXparkorskatepark.


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Amajorityofstakeholdersfeelthattheparkiswellmaintainedbutthattheinfrastructureisinneedof

upgrades.Stakeholdersaddedthattheparkneedstoreflectthevaluesofthecityandthatupdatesto

theparkneedtobedonerightandwithhighquality.Peoplefavoredenhancingtheskihillareawith

lightingandbetterlifts,moretrailheadaccesstothearea,asecondsheetofoutdooricewithadditional

meeting/programrooms,andbetterwayfindingthroughoutthepark.Individualsfeltthatmore

sponsorships,adedicatedfundingsourceandenhancedfoodandbeverageofferingscouldhelpfundoperationsandimprovements.Amajorityofstakeholdersfeltthatthefeesforuseoftheparkwere

inexpensiveandthatsomeactivitiesorrentalfeescouldberaised.

Somestakeholdersbelievethattherodeogroundsareanimportantpartofthecityanditsheritagebut

areunderutilized.Somestatedthateventscouldhappeninthearenaorintheparkinglotadjacent.

Manybelievedthattheexistingmasterplanfortherodeoshouldbecompletediffundsareavailable.

SomestakeholdersmentionedthatthereisaperceptionthattheSSWSCmanagedthemountaininthe

wintermonthsandcontrolledaccesstothehill.Somealsobelievethatcitypartners,liketheSSWSCand

TripleCrownforexample,shouldcontributemoretotheoperationsofthepark.Theenhanced

contributionswould

further

efforts

to

better

the

infrastructure

of

the

park

and

make

the

groups

investorsinthefutureofthepark.

Peoplebelievethattheamenitiesattheparkneedtobemarketedmoresopeopleareawareofwhatis

offeredatHowelsen.SeveralindividualsmentionedthatguestswhovisitSteamboatSpringshavebeen

surprisedtolearnwhattheparkhastoofferandthatmorecoordinatedmarketingeffortswithother

partnersshouldbeenhanced.

PublicMeetingFindingsSummary

OnMay15,2014,apublicmeetingwasheldatOlympianHall.Attendeesstatedthatthelocationof

Howelsen

Park

is

ideal

for

a

variety

of

recreation

opportunities

and

that

it

is

central

to

the

community.

Peoplestatedthatfamilies,sportsteams,teens,andthepublicenjoytheparksamenitiesandviewsyear

round.

Duringthemeetingpeoplestatedthatthelackofmoneytoimproveexistinginfrastructureandmaintain

theparkisthebiggestthreattothewellbeingofthepark.Peopleidentifiedthatadedicatedtax,special

taxingdistrictforparksandhaveuserspaymoreforservicesshouldbeexplored.Attendeesfeelthat

secondhomeownersdonotpaytheirfairshareforparksandrecreationatHowelsenandinthecity.

Localeventsandleaguesneedtobebettermarketedtoattractresidentsandgueststothepark.People

alsofeelthatnewdownhillmountainbikingtrailsandanindoorrecreationfacilitywouldbenefitthe

park.Conversely,peoplealsostatedthatexistingrecreationamenitiesatthepark,liketheskatepark,

horsestables,

and

possibly

some

sports

fields

could

be

relocated

to

other

lands.

Some

attendees

feel

thatHowelsendoesnothavetohavealltherecreationopportunitiesitcurrentlyprovides.

FocusGroupSummary

OnJune10,2014,thedepartmentconvenedindividualstoparticipateinfocusgroupstodiscuss

opportunitiesandchallengesatHowelsenPark.Individualswereposedshortquestionsregardingthe

importanceofimprovingexistingconditionsversusaddingnewfacilitiesatthepark,rankingexisting


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amenitiesandwhatareasshouldbeimproved,andhowtopayforupgradestoinfrastructureand

maintenance.Participantswerethenaskedtoparticipateinaplacemakingexercisetolocatefuture

amenitiesatthepark.

Allthegroupsidentifiedtheskihillandhistoricalaspectsoftheparkasthemostvaluableamenitiesat

thepark.Theparticipantsalsovaluedtheyearroundamenitiesavailableattheparkandthatprograms

andactivitieswereeconomical.Allgroupsmentionedthattheparkwaswellmaintainedbuttheinfrastructurewasinneedofimprovement.

Whenmakingimprovementstothepark,thecityshoulddoitrightandmaketheparkworldclass.

Someitemssuggestedinclude:

LightingMileRunandimprovetheliftsandsnowmaking

Addasecondsheetofoutdooriceadjacenttotheexistingicearena

Improverecyclinginthepark

Maketheskilodgeatruelodge;addarestauranttothelocation

Addanindoorrecreationcenterthatcouldbeusedforbasketball,volleyballandpickleball

Completethe

2009

Rodeo

Master

Plan

Relocatesomeofthefieldsattheparktoanewlocationoutsideofthecity

AddaNordiccenter

Improvetrailheadareaswithbetterparkingandwayfinding

Increasetheamountofsandvolleyballcourtsatthepark

Renovatetheplayground

Participantswereaskedhowtheimprovementscouldbefunded.Thepreferredmethodwastocreatea

parksandrecreationdistrictwithhavingadedicatedpropertytaxcominginsecond.


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PublicSurvey/Poll

DuringlateJunethroughJuly21,thecitysoughtpublicinputthroughanemailsurvey.Thisemailsurvey

wassenttoarandomsampleofthecitypopulation.Duringthesubmissionperiod,thesurveyfeedback

didnotreachtheleveltobestatisticallyvalidandwasopenedtothegeneralpublicthroughthecity

websiteandSteamboatToday.Whenthepublicpollingclosed,592responseswerereceived.

ProgramParticipation

Thefirstquestionaskedwas,Howoftendoyouand/oryourfamilyusethefacilitiesatHowelsenPark?

241

209

117

90

26

24

21

21

15

14

11

8

5

4

138

66

32

66

56

37

40

10

52

44

40

29

9

10

134

151

179

277

127

147

97

55

153

271

87

293

48

202

59

145

234

127

344

349

396

462

337

225

416

225

490

337

Howelsen Bike/HikeTrails

Howelsen Ski Hill

Howelsen Ice Arena

Olympian Hall

Howelsen Ball Fields

Howelsen SandVolleyball

Howelsen BMX Park

Howelsen Igloo Center

Howelsen Tennis Courts

Howelsen Rodeo Arena

Howelsen Skate Park

Howelsen Alpine Slide

Howelsen Horse Stables

Howelsen Tubing

2-3 times a Week (if in season) Weekly (if in season) Monthly (occasionally) Never


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17%

53%

28%

2%

Highquality

Goodquality

Varies

Poorquality

Thethreemostpopularactivities/venuesattheparkaretheBike/HikingTrails,SkiHillandIceArena.

Theleastpopular/neverusedactivitiesincludetheHorseStables,theIglooandtheSkatePark.

FacilityRating

RespondentswereaskedtoratetheoverallqualityofthefacilitiesatHowelsenPark.Ofthetotal

responses,53%selectedgoodqualityand17%ratedthefacilitiesashighquality.Thesurveyfirm

indicatedthat,basedonpreviousstudies,theresearchteambelievesthatHowelsenParkhasagood

overallperceptionwithinthecommunity.

BarrierstoUse

RespondentswereaskedwhatmaypreventthemfromusingHowelsenParkorifpeoplebelongtoother

groupsthatproviderecreation.Thetopresponse(33%)wasthatpeoplebelongtoother

groups/facilitiesthatproviderecreation(OldTownHotSprings),theparklackscertainamenitiescame

in

second

(29%),

and

that

people

are

not

aware

of

programs/activities

available

at

the

park

(23%).

Respondentsweregiventheoptiontoelaborateonwhatamenitiesmaybelackingorstatewhat

barrierstherearetousingHowelsen.Outof80totalresponses,theresearchteamfoundthat

approximatelysevenresponsesmentionedthattheSteamboatSpringsWinterSportsClubmakesthe

facilitydifficulttouseandfivecommentsmentionedtheneedforseparatepedestriantrailsthatwould

notallowbiking.Otheritemsmentionedincludedtheneedfornicercourts/indoorfacilities,aneedfor

morelocalpublicuseatfieldareas,andademandforincreasedicetimeattheicearena.


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187

177

141

134

128

120

109

89

89

81

48

39

37

30

167

127

153

177

200

119

181

137

142

111

124

34

97

44

85

106

134

108

96

129

117

100

187

200

163

213

173

240

67

56

57

69

77

89

78

98

67

74

128

110

121

106

37

72

49

44

31

78

57

109

52

67

70

131

106

110

Improve Ski Hill conditions with better lifts, betterlighting and a terrain park

Add an indoor gymnasium with court space forbasketball, volleyball, pickleball and space for anindoor climbing wall, track and teen/youth center

Create a Nordic Center

Update Olympian Hall and improve customer'sexperience with concessions and storage lockers

Improve trail and trail access points

Add a second outdoor ice/roller rink with snackbar and party/meeting rooms

Create an outdoor amphitheater at the base ofHowelsen Ski Area

Upgrade chair lifts that would provide bikeaccess via the lift

Align sports fields to be more compatible forbaseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse play

Complete the Rodeo Arena Master Plan

Enhance sand volleyball courts and playgroundarea

Remove the skate park

Add more tennis courts that could be used forpickleball

Improve Horse Stables

Much Needed Somewhat Needed Uncertain

Probably Not Needed Definitely Not Needed

LevelofNeed


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Belowarethetopfiveselectedasmostneeded,thetopfivesomewhatandmuchneededandfive

definitelynotneededitems.

Topfivemostneeded:

ImproveSkiHillconditionswithbetterlifts,betterlightingand

aterrainpark

187responses

Addan

indoor

gymnasium

with

court

space

for

basketball,

volleyball,pickleballandspaceforanindoorclimbingwall,

trackandteen/youthcenter

177responses

CreateaNordicCenter 141responses

UpdateOlympianHallandimprovecustomer'sexperiencewith

concessionsandstoragelockers

134responses

Improvetrailandtrailaccesspoints 128responses

TopfivesomewhatANDmuchneeded:

ImproveSkiHillconditionswithbetterlifts,betterlightingand

aterrainpark

354responses

Improvetrailandtrailaccesspoints 328responses

UpdateOlympianHallandimprovecustomer'sexperiencewithconcessionsandstoragelockers

311responses

Addanindoorgymnasiumwithcourtspaceforbasketball,

volleyball,pickleballandspaceforanindoorclimbingwall,

trackandteen/youthcenter

304responses

CreateaNordicCenter 294responses

Topfivedefinitelynotneeded:

Removetheskatepark 131responses

ImproveHorseStables 110responses

Upgradechairliftsthatwouldprovidebikeaccessviathelift 109responses

Add

more

tennis

courts

that

could

be

used

for

pickleball 106

responses

Addasecondoutdoorice/rollerrinkwithsnackbarand

party/meetingrooms

78responses


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StatementAgreement/Disagreement

Nexttheresearchteamasked,Pleaseindicateifyouagree,disagreeordonotknowaboutthe

followingstatementsregardingHowelsenPark.

Overall,peoplefeelthatHowelsenParkissafe,wellmaintained,usershavegoodaccessandthey

supportthecityseffortstomakeimprovementstothepark.Themajorityofrespondentsbelievethe

feesforprogramsarenottoohigh.Themostsignificantresultofthissurveyquestionisthat55%donot

feeltheinfrastructureandfacilitiesattheparkareuptodate.

97%

93%

88%

84%

79%

30%

23%

10%

2%

6%

5%

10%

16%

55%

44%

40%

7%

6%

5%

16%

33%

50%

I feel safe when visiting the park

I feel that I have good access to the park

I support the citys effort to improveHowelsen Park

I feel the park is well maintained

I feel that locals can use the park whenthey choose

I feel the infrastructure and facilities atthe park are up-to-date

I feel the fees for programs/activities aretoo high

I feel the fees for rentals are too high

Agree Disagree Do not know


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CapitalFundingPreferences

Respondentswereasked,Whichmethodoffundingforparkfacilityrenovationsanddevelopment

wouldyouprefer?Theteamfoundthatoverall,35%supportestablishingaregionalorcountyparks

andrecreationdistricttoprovidelongtermfundingforcapitalandoperationsatexistingandfuture

park,openspaceandrecreationfacilities.Thesecondchoicewith22%isestablishingadedicatedsales

taxforHowelsenParkoperationsanddevelopment.Theoptionwiththeleastsupportisinstitutea

propertytaxtofundcapitalprojectsandmaintaintheparkannually.

35%

22%

15%

15%

7%

7%

Establisharegionalorcountyparksandrecreation

districttoprovidelongtermfundingforcapital

andoperationsatexistingandfuturepark,open

spaceandrecreationfacilities

EstablishadedicatedsalestaxforHowelsenPark

operationsanddevelopment

Borrowmoneytomakenecessaryimprovements

andpaybackovera20yearperiod

Idonotsupportanyincreaseinfunding

EstablishadedicatedpropertytaxforHowelsen

Parkoperationsanddevelopment

Instituteapropertytaxtofundcapitalprojectsand

maintaintheparkannually


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ParkRevenueFundingPreferences

Theteamaskedthequestion,Inordertogenerateneededrevenuetoimprovetheparksand

recreationprogramsatHowelsenPark,pleaseindicatealltheoptionsyouwouldsupportforincreasing

funding.ThemajorityofrespondentschoseEnhancefoodandbeverageconcessionsthroughout

HowelsenPark(66%)withIncreasetheamountofsponsorshipsforactivitiesandfestivalsatHowelsen

Parkreceiving64%.

Peoplehadtheoptiontoleavecommentsonideastoraiserevenue.Somerespondentsindicatedthat

somerentalfeesaretoocheapwhileothersfeelthatsomeofthefeesforsomeactivitiesaretoohigh.

ManyindicatedthedesirefortheSSWSCtocontributemoretowardstheoperationsoftheskiarea.

Someindicatedthatthecityshoulduseitsexistingdollarswiselytooperateandmaintainthepark.

66%

64%

54%

48%

47%

43%

20%

17%

Enhance food and beverage concessionsthroughout Howelsen Park

Increase the amount of sponsorships foractivities and festivals at Howelsen Park

Build more facilities that generate revenue(ex: second sheet of ice, gymnasium)

Provide the ability to have naming rights onfacilities at Howelsen Park

Charge non-county residents a higher rate

Create a recreation pass for use of HowelsenPark facilities and other city recreation

venues

Increase fees for rentals at the park

Increase program/activity fees at the park


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Recommendations

Theprocessforthismasterplanningeffortwascenteredonengagingthepublicandutilizingthese

inputsforparkimprovementrecommendations.ResidentsloveHowelsenParkbecauseofitslocation,

richhistory,andhowitprovidesyearroundrecreationopportunitiestolocalsandguests.Participantsin

themasterplanningprocessdesireanuptodateparkwithworldclassamenitiesthatprovideabalance

ofactiveandpassiverecreationopportunities.

Therecommendationslistedbelowareextensiveandwilltakecoordinatedeffortswithpartnersand

otherfundingsources.Therecommendationsarenotlistedinanyorderofpriorityandareestimates

baseduponcontractorordesignestimatesandguidelinesandstandardsforoperationalcostsand

revenueprojections.ThedepartmentlooksforwardtoengagingtheParksandRecreationCommission

todiscusstheimprovementsandoptionsavailableforfundingtheseproposedenhancements.

TrailImprovements

Notsurprisingly,theuseofHowelsenhikeandbiketrailsaredocumentedinthisplanasthemostused

amenitiesat

the

park.

Families,

groups,

and

individuals

from

the

community

enjoy

the

variety

of

trails

availabletoresidentsandguests.TherecentadditionofMorningGloriaTrailtotheareahasincreased

theavailablemilesoftrailandstakeholderscontinuetodesiremoreterraintohikeandbike.

Focusgroupattendeesmappedoutpreferredlinkagesthatwouldconnectthebaseareaswithexisting

trailsinthesystem.Someparticipantsfavoredthedevelopmentofmoreeasyandintermediatetrailsin

ordertoengagenovicehikersandbikerstothepark.Theseproposedconnectionswouldneedtobe

furtherinvestigatedtominimizeimpactstotheexistingenvironment.

CapitalCost:$5$8perlinearfootdependentuponslopeandwidthoftrail;routetobedetermined

OperationalCosts:$2,000perlinearmileannually

RodeoArena

TheHowelsenRodeoArenacompletedamasterplanningprocessin2009.Theplancalledforan

estimated$4.3millioninimprovements.Inadditiontoaddressinghealthandsafetyneeds,theplancalls

forrealignmentofthetworodeoarenas,improvingtheplazaarea,accessandcirculation

improvements,seatingenhancementsandpossibleupgradestothehorsestablearea,concessions,and

restrooms.

TheCityandtheSteamboatSpringsProRodeoSeriesboardfundedenhancementsin2014which

focusedonthepensandchutesareas.TheCityhasappliedforaGreatOutdoorsColorado(GOCO)grant

tofundforrealignmentofthearenasandenlargingthecompetitionarena.TheCityhopestomove

forwardwith

these

upgrades

in

2015.

Operationally,stakeholdersduringthemasterplanvoicedthatthearenacouldbeusedmoreduringthe

year.Possibleactivitiesincludedhavingconcertseitheronthearenagroundsorintheparkingareaand

havingwintereventswithbonfiresandaportableskatingrink.Accordingtosomemasterplan

participants,utilizingthegroundsyearroundwouldcreatemorevalueforthecapitalinvestments

plannedforthesite.


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Baseduponpublicfeedbackduringthismasterplanningeffort,theCityshouldfocusoncompletingthe

recommendedupgradeswhenfundsbecomeavailable.Theseeffortsareforecastedtocontinueinto

2020andbeyond.TheCityshouldalsoworkwiththeRodeoSeriesboardandotherpartnersonpossible

waystoenhanceuseandattracteventstothearena.

CapitalCost:Completemasterplan$4million(estimated)OperationalCosts:tobedetermined;roughstaffestimate$35,000

ReconfiguringFields

Theballfieldcomplexhostsfourlightedbaseball/softballfields.Thesefieldsareusedextensivelybylocal

usergroupsaswellasTripleCrownSportsbaseballeventsinthesummer.Thefieldscanalsobeusedby

soccerteamsandareusedaspartoftheNordicskitrailsysteminthewinter.

Theoveralllayoutofthefieldsisnotcontiguousatthistime.Manystakeholdersmentionedthatthe

sportsfieldcomplexisspreadouttoomuchandencompassesalotofthepark.Someparticipants

mentionedthat

the

fields

could

be

condensed

and

some

groups

stated

that

the

possibility

of

improving

thefieldswithsyntheticturfwouldbenefitlocalteamsandexpandtheusagetimeofthefieldsand

minimizemaintenanceandwearonthefields.

FocusgroupparticipantsfavoredthedevelopmentofasportsparkoutsideofSteamboatSprings.

Creatingavenuewithmultiusefieldsincloseproximitytotownwouldstillbenefitlocalbusinessesyet

movesometournamentsandleaguestoasportsfocusedvenue.Thefundingforthesportspark

broughtforthvastamountsofdiscussionrelatedtocreatingaparksandrecreationdistrictthatwould

addressrecreationneedsnotonlyinthecitybutregionally.

Aproposedreconfigurationofthebaseballfieldstoageneralmultipurposefielduseissuggested.

Vanatta

and

Klumker

fields

would

be

repurposed

for

new

recreation

opportunities.

Adams

and

Similion

fieldswouldbemadeintoamultipurposefieldareathatwouldbelargeenoughfortwo

soccer/lacrosse/footballfieldsandpossiblythreebaseball/softballfields.Theexistinglightingstructures

couldberepurposedwiththenewfieldconfiguration.Twomodularbattingcagesarealso

recommendedforplacementclosetotheparkinglot/fieldarea.

Ifsyntheticturfisused,theinitialcapitalcostsfordevelopingthesefieldswouldbeestimatedat$2.1

million.Thebenefitsofusingsyntheticsurfacingwouldbetheabilitytoplayonthefieldsduringmore

timesoftheyearand,operationally,thecoststomaintain,irrigateandpreparethefieldswouldbe

reducedapproximately$50,000$60,000annually.

CapitalCosts: Regrade,installsyntheticturf,repurposelighting,siteimprovements;$2.4million(est)

Regrade,

install

natural

turf,

repurpose

lighting,

site

improvements;

$700,000

(est)

Battingcages;$18,000

IndoorRecreationCenter

Numerousparticipantsvoicedthatanindoorrecreationcenterwouldbeabenefityearroundand

generaterevenuesfortheCity.Thediscussionforanindoorrecreationvenuehasbeendiscussedfor

morethanadecadeandwasatonetimeproposedinthecity.Thiseffortfailedand,mostrecently,a


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22

privategroupsoughttodevelopafieldhouseonSteamboatSpringsSchoolDistrictpropertybutwasnot

endorsedbytheschoolboard.

Duringthepublicpolling/surveyprocess,thedemandforanindoorrecreationcenterrankedasthe

secondmostneededenhancementatthepark.Theproposedcenterwouldincludeindoorbasketball

courtsthatwouldincludeoverlaysforvolleyballandpickleballaswellasanindoorsecondleveljogging

track,meetingrooms,ateencenter,concessionsandclimbingwall.Nowateractivitiesareproposedfortherecreationcenter.TheproposedlocationiswherethecurrentKlumkerFieldislocated.

CapitalCosts: $15 $16million(est)

OperationalCosts: Staffing,Utilitiesandmaintenance;$2.8to$3.1millionannually(est)

RevenueRecovery: Baseduponnationalnormsof75%costrecovery;$2.1to$2.325million

annually

OutdoorTennis/PickleballCourtsandSandVolleyballCourts

Twoactivitiesthathaveseenincreasedusehavebeenpickleballandsandvolleyball.Thecurrent

SteamboatSprings

Pickleball

Association

has

seen

its

membership

rise

from

approximately

50

members

in2013toover120membersin2014.Sandvolleyballteamshaverealizedadramaticincreaseinplay

andthecityplayshosttoaregionaltournamentannuallywhichattractsplayersfromacrossthe

mountainwest.

Theproposedlocationofthecourtswouldbeincloseproximitytotheirexistinglocations.Fourlighted

hardcourttennis/pickleballcourtsandfoursandvolleyballcourtsarerecommendedinthepark.

CapitalCosts: Tenniscourts,fencing,lighting;$325,000(est)

SandVolleyballcourts,lighting;$153,000(est)costvariesduetodifferentsand

costsanddesiredancillaryitems(shower,waterservice,etc.)

Operational

Costs:

$7,000

to

$10,000

annually

SkiHillandLodgeAreaMaintenanceandImprovements

ManystakeholdersfeelthatHowelsenHillandtheassociatedskiamenitiesarevaluedthemostatthe

park.Inaddition,feedbackshowsthattheinfrastructureattheparkandskiareaisinneedofupdating.

MasterplanparticipantsindicatedthatupgradingMileRunwithsnowmakingandlights,addingaterrain

park,improvingliftsandupdatingtheskilodgeaspreferredsteps.PlannersworkedwiththeSSWSCto

makepreliminaryestimatesofcostsforenhancementsasnotedbelow.Theseestimatesneedtobe

vettedthroughprojectplanningandbids.

StaffattheSSWSChasestimatedthatlightingMileRunwouldcostanestimated$300,000plus

additionalcosts

for

site

prep

and

updating

the

electrical

infrastructure.

The

lighting

system

would

be

similartothestructuresplacedatSteamboatResortandcost1/3lesstooperatethanconventional

lightingsystemsandcauselesslightpollution.Ifenhancedsnowmakingwereincluded,addingthis

capabilitytoMileRun,RidgeRun,TownView,andMountainViewwouldprovidebeginnerand

intermediateaccessversuschallengingTheFace.

SkiliftimprovementsforBarrowsChairLiftwouldcostanestimated$700,000to$1.3million.SSWSCs

estimateisbaseduponacquiringandinstallingaLeitnerPoma4personfixedquadliftsystemwhich


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23

couldbemodifiedtoacceptbikes.Thesecostsmayvarybaseduponengineering,siteimprovement

needsandinstallationcosts.

Pollingrespondentsandstakeholdersindicatedthatadditionofterrainparkfeatureswouldbeabenefit

tothepark.FreestyleskiingisincreasinginprominenceintheUnitedStatesandmodifyingsomeareas

toincludeparkandpipeofferingscouldimproveskierexperience.TheClubestimatesthecosttoadd

thesefeatures,includingapipecutter,dirtwork,ropetowforterrainparkandairbagforfourseasonuseisanestimated$350,000.

Stakeholdersnotedthatanincreaseinamenitieslikeconcessionsandstoragewouldprovideabenefit

attheskilodgeandthroughoutthepark.Publiccommentsindicatedthatpeoplewouldpreferthelodge

tohavetheskifeel,completewithfoodandbeverageandmakeitamorewelcomingsiteforguests.

TherenovatedlodgecouldalsohouseNordictypeofamenities.Contractorshaveestimatedthecostto

renovatethelodgeatapproximately$250persquarefootbutcouldvarybaseduponfinishes.

Therenovationofthelodgewouldenhancetheamenitiestothepublicandwouldalsoallowforthe

SSWSCtorelocateitsownofficeandclubfacilities.Theclubestimatesitwouldneedapproximately

6,000square

feet

of

office,

storage

and

club

space

(the

club

currently

uses

approximately

5,200

sf

plus

OlympianHall).Theproposedlocationisincloseproximityoftheexistingtrainingbuilding.Contractors

estimatethecosttobuildthisfacilityatapproximately$300persquarefoot.

CapitalCosts:$6.05million;willvarybaseduponfinishes,squarefootageofbuildings,terrain

challenges,engineering,prepandsitework

OperationalCosts:tbd;baseduponfacilityfinishesandtypesofequipmentpurchased.Interiorareasare

estimatedat$56 $70persquarefoot

SecondSheetofOutdoorIce

Stakeholders

and

polling

participants

expressed

the

desire

to

add

an

additional

sheet

of

recreation

ice

adjacenttotheexistingIceArena.Theexistingsheetoficeisusedextensivelyduringprimetimehours

andpublicskatetimesarelimitedduetoorganizedteameventsandprograms.

Previousplanshaveshownaproposedsecondsheetoficewithassociatedmeetingroomsand

concessions.Theproposedlayoutwouldincludearecreationsizeiceskatingareawithmeetingrooms

whichcouldbeusedforpartiesaswellasalargerconcessionareafortheentireHowelsenIceArena.

Duringsummermonths,thecoveredspacecouldbeusedforrollerhockeyorforlargergrouppicnic

rentals.Parkingwouldbeaccommodatedthroughtheexistingarenahockeyparkinglotandinclude

somerodeoparkingareas.

CapitalCosts:$1.595million;willvarybaseduponroomfinishing,sitepreparation,andfinishedice

capacity

OperationalCosts:$112,000(est)

RevenueRecovery:$135,000annually(est)

ParkingAreas

Thedesiretohaveimprovedparkingandwayfindingwasmentionedthroughoutthemasterplanning

process.InadditiontotheexistingparkingattheRodeoGroundsandIceArena,theplanningteamhas


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24

estimatedthatapproximately360neworrepositionedparkingspacescouldbeincorporatedintothe

park.Someareasrecommendedinclude:

135realignedspacesadjacenttothemultipurposefieldsandtrailaccesspointsonthenorth

sideofthepark

30parkingspacesadjacenttothelodgeandtenniscourts

198spacesadjacenttotheproposedrecreationcenter,tenniscourts,playgroundandsand

volleyballcourts

Citystaffhasreceivedestimatesthatwouldestimatethecostperspaceat$5,000.Thiscostisexclusive

ofanyparkinglotcostslocatedattheRodeoArena.Theestimatedtotalforparkingspaceconstruction

is$1.8million.

Properwayfindingthroughouttheparkwasnotedasadesireamongststakeholders.Wheninthepark,

thereislimitedsignagedirectingpatronstofields,thehill,orotheramenities.Consultantsestimate

themedsignagethroughouttheparktobe$40,000.

CapitalCosts:

$1.8

million;

may

vary

based

upon

site

preparation.

$40,000

for

signage

in

park

OperationalCosts:Willvarybaseduponannualsnowfall.


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EstimatedCapitalCostsandOperationsCosts

Project Description

Estimated

Capital

Cost

Estimated

Operational

Costs

(Annually)

TrailImprovements*

Connectamenitiesinteriortothe

parkand

on

mountain

areas

to

improvebeginnertrailaccess $422,400 $20,000

Rodeo

Arena

CompletetheRodeoArenaMaster

Plan $4,000,000 $35,000

ReconfigureSportsFields

Repositionfieldstobemulti

purposefields.Alignmentwould

providefortwo

soccer/lacrosse/footballfieldsand

threebaseball/softballfields.

Assumesnaturalturfdevelopment

andreuseofupgradedlights $718,000 $9,000

Indoor

Recreation

Center

Developa50,000sfindoor

recreationcenterinclusiveoftwo

indoorfull

court

basketball,

volleyballandpickleballcourts,

climbingwall,concessions,program

rooms,teencenterandindoortrack $16,000,000 $3,100,000

Outdoor

Tennis

and

Sand

Volleyball

Court

Reconfiguration

Relocateexistingtennisandsand

vollebyallcourtsandincrease

capacityofcourtspace $478,000 $10,000

Ski

Hill

and

Lodge

Renovation

Renovateexistinglodgetoincludea

more"publicfriendly"lodgewith

dining.Improvementswouldalso

includelightingonMileRun,

improvedsnowmaking,terrainpark

andnewoffice/trainingbuilding $6,050,000 $56,000

Second

Sheet

of

Outdoor

Covered

Ice

with

Meeting

Rooms

and

Concessions

Addarecreationaloutdoorcovered

sizeicesheettothesouthsideof

theexistingarenawithtwo

meeting/partyrooms,restrooms

andconcessions $1,595,000 $112,000

Parking

Improvements

Addorrenovateanestimated363

parkinglotsattheparkandinclude

improvedwayfindingthroughthe

park $1,840,000

Project

Estimates

(Total) $31,103,400 $3,342,000

*Costsmayvarybasedupondistances

(assumed10milesofnewtrail).

Estimatesmayvarybaseduponsite

preparation,finishesanduserdemand.

Parkingcostsbaseduponseasonal

snowfall


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SummaryofRecommendations

Howelsen Hill Master Plan Draft 2014

Documents

Transcript of Howelsen Hill Master Plan Draft 2014