by Jay Lawson
The Town of Webb Board discussed improvements being considered for the McCauley Mountain chalet at its meeting on Monday, February 15th.
Councilwoman Kate Russell gave some background on the effort to make the chalet a better facility for skiers and those using it for summer events.
A committee had been formed to brainstorm on McCauley’s chalet needs.
Original members of that committee were Loretta Gaffney, Dave Kleps, Steve Uzdavinis, Councilwoman Russell and Councilman Richard Risley, who was later replaced on the committee by Councilman Mike Ross.
Jeanne Whyte attended the committee’s early meetings and offered to donate an initial sketch plan for any architectural improvements to the chalet.
Dave Kleps calculated costs for the plan components.
Councilwoman explained three small improvements that are currently being considered.
Funds for these improvements have been included in the Town of Webb’s 2016 budget.
First is the construction of an air-lock entry system.
Second is the construction of a handicap accessible restroom.
The chalet committee would also like to shift the location of McCauley’s rope tow for a driveway that would allow up and around driving, enabling drop-offs at a new entrance.
The entrance would have a split staircase.
Ticket purchases would be made downstairs near the ski rental shop.
Upstairs would be the lounge and concession areas.
The work, if approved, would start in the spring with a planned completion prior to next ski season.
Councilman Mike Ross explained that the West-Central Adirondack Recreational Development Association (WARDA) had been working on a large-scale improvement plan for McCauley.
WARDA’s proposals were placed on hold due to fundraising concerns.
The current effort is intended to improve the chalet in smaller, more manageable phases, Ross said.
Nick Rose, executive director of CAP-21, was on hand to monitor the the talks and watch for ways CAP-21 might assist.
Energy upgrades had already been done at the chalet, including replacing the old single-pane windows and installing two new high-efficiency furnaces.
The sewer system had also been updated with a new pump station and leach field.
Councilwoman Barbara Green asked for a cost/benefit assessment for the phases on deck for the spring.
She said there are a number of investments that will need to be made at McCauley, including replacing lift equipment originally installed in the 1950s.
Green said she would like to be assured that the chalet investment will have a benefit suitable to the cost.
She was also concerned that the funds, originally allocated for another purpose, were now being shifted.
“I’m just questioning the cost/benefit of doing all of this work,” Green said.
Former Councilwoman Mary Brophy Moore said that the facility would be usable for additional kinds of events. At some point, this will result in higher rent fees from those using it for private events.
Councilwoman Green asked if this could result in new costs related to additional staffing needs and the like.
McCauley Manager Steve Uzdavinis said staffing would be largely unaffected.
In winter, during ski season, the improvements would make for a better skiing experience by improving traffic flow within the chalet, he said.
And this is hardly an elective concern, according to Uzdavinis.
“We have a big problem there,” he said.
Eventually there will be an increase in usable square footage and a situation that allows better use of the space.
This phase will cost about $50,000, according to Councilwoman Russell—an amount that is already in the current budget.
Code Enforcement Officer Andy Getty said he didn’t expect any costly surprises related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
But it would be wise to confirm the number of required fixtures based on the occupant load, he said.
Supervisor Robert Moore said he sees advantages in a handicap bathroom and an airlock door.
The new entrance portion will be a possibility, but only if funds allow for it, he said.
The discussion will continue with Jeanne Whyte, expecting to provide additional information on the project at a later date.