» Meissner Project

DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY

Over the last several years the Tumalo Langlauf Club has taken many steps toward the planning and development of a community ski area at Meissner Sno-Park. Below is a summary of the most important actions of the TLC Board of Directors over the last two years:

1. April 2003 - TLC Board of Directors approves Meissner Vision Statement
2. December 2003 - TLC Board of Directors adopts Meissner Strategic Plan
3. November 2004 - TLC Board of Directors accepts Mt. Hood Nordic Ski Foundation grant of $55,000 and approves the purchase of a Pisten Bully 130 and the construction of a Pole Barn to house it.
4. June 2005 - TLC Board of Directors approves position of Meissner Project Consultant and hires Tim Gibbons.

MEISSNER PROJECT Consultant

The Board of Directors created the Project Consultant position to work with the U.S. Forest Service to help coordinate the Meissner Project. The position was created because of the amount and complexity of the work required and the need to have someone who has established relationships with the U.S. Forest Service. Meissner Sno-Park and the surrounding trails are on national forest land and any changes there must be approved this agency. The Meissner Project Consultant works on a paid consulting basis, averaging 30-40 hours per month and that is expected to drop to 10-20 hours per month starting in the late fall. The position is temporary and is expected to run through the fall of 2007 while overseeing the construction of new trails and the expansion of the parking area.

The Project Consultant has four main duties:

1. Oversee the Meissner Fundraising Campaign.
2. Oversee the two-year environmental assessment process as required by the U.S. Forest Service regarding the proposed developments at Meissner Sno-Park.
3. Develop strong partnerships and relationships with major stakeholders and user groups in the community.
4. Oversee the TLC Communications Committee.

STRATEGIC PLAN

The Meissner Strategic Plan calls for a not-for-profit, community ski area at Meissner Sno-Park. The main tenet driving the enhancement of the area is the collaboration of the major stakeholders and user groups of the area. Members and participants of seven different organizations currently use the area: Tumalo Langlauf Club, Central Oregon Nordic Club, Bend Metro Park and Recreation District classes and programs, Central Oregon Community College ski classes, XC Oregon, Central Oregon High School Ski Teams and the Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation. Strong partnerships and relationships between these stakeholders and user groups will provide for a sustainable community ski area in the future. In January of this year TLC signed a formal partnership with the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District. BMPRD mechanics provide preventive maintenance for the Pisten Bully 130 and TLC provides groomed trails for their classes and programs, such as the Bend Kids Ski League.

The focus of the area is to provide skiers of all abilities affordable skiing on wellgroomed ski trails (classic and skate). We seek to provide an enjoyable skiing experience for families, children, beginning skiers, tourers, high school racers, masters and Olympians.

The Meissner Project encompasses five main developments:

PHASE I: Short-term Immediate Goals

1. Acquisition and housing of a Pisten Bully 130 groomer. Completed.
2. Expansion of the trail system. We propose to expand the trail system with up to 20 kms of new trail, consisting mostly of beginner and intermediate terrain. It is our goal to provide a great skiing experience over the ideal, rolling terrain at Meissner. In addition, we have outlined a staging area north of the parking area in which to hold instructional and competitive events.
3. Enlarge the Meissner parking area. Current capacity of the parking area at Meissner Sno- Park is approximately 55-60 vehicles and can fill to capacity by 10:00 am on a Saturday morning. We propose to triple the capacity of the parking area.
4. Construction of lighted trails. We propose to light up to 10 kms of ski trail for those people who want to ski after the normal workday.

PHASE II: Long Term Vision

1. Construction of a warming shelter. We propose a building of approximately 2500-3000 square feet in size. This will be a place for the ski community to gather, get warm and socialize.