HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.03 Master plan description~()~ f'''{ ~;;-1~v1f P \ ('(l Vl~ ( \'t7 I //0 "\ )1 ..... I Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park \ 411?-' \ Maste~ Plan Co (L-I I v /I (C" !)...<' _ ,J,v ' -+v In 2010, Glenwood 9ierns Aa:entur~
Park ark) had over 130,000 visitors. This was a sig ifican(-' in~re~ over the previous year's attendance and 2011 will top out with over 47,000 visitor The overwhelming response from
the guests is positive. The main complaint expressed is the desire for more activities and attractions at the upper Park site to entertain families while waiting for a cave tour. Also,
as the number, quality and appeal of the activities and attraction at the site have expanded, more and more guests are visiting the Park for the total experience not just the caverns
tour. The developing character of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park as a "theme park" is broadening the Park's appeal to new visitors and increasing the numbers of consistently returning
guests. The growing awareness and appeal of the Park translates to more tourism activity in Glenwood Springs and Garfield County. The growth experienced over the past few years has clarified
the Applicants vision for a five to ten year master plan for the Park which is the purpose of this Major Impact Review application. The goal is to achieve County approval that accommodates
renovation, enhancement and expansion of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park for possibly the next decade. Experience over recent years has amplified the awareness that commercial recreation
in the nature of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park demands a constant and frequent "recharge" of its appeal to the tourism market. This includes constant improvements in the overall visual
aesthetics, addition of new attractions, replacement of attractions that have lost their appeal, refurbishing of tried-and-true attractions, enhancement of onsite retail services and
consistent attention to activities and cyclical programs that add special appeal to the ever changing public entertainment pallet. Over the past ten years a number of County Permit reviews
have been conducted as a result of the Applicants efforts to enhance the Parks entertainment value and thereby appeal to the tourism and local entertainment market. Through this processes,
it has become evident that this Major Impact Review Application needs to result in a Permit that accommodates, without reoccurring amendments, the type of renovation, replacement, improvement
and expansion of attractions and facilities required to maintain consistent market appeal. Park -2012 As a beginning point, following is a description of enhancements underway now, in
preparation for the 2012 season. These improvements and additions fall within the scope of the current Special Use Permit. 1
) The westerly side of the main Plaza is being improved by replacing an existing fill slope with a permanent retaining wall which will be topped with a permanent wall structure and canopy.
This will provide wind and precipitation protection and shade for the Tram down-mountain queue. A wall will be built on the northerly end of the Iron Mountain Tramway Station to provide
better wind protection and to enhance the guests arrival experience into the Park Plaza. In the Park Plaza, between the Visitor Center and the Snack Shack is the location for a new Rocky
Mountain Themed Carousel with horses, bears, deer, elk and other mountain wildlife. The carousel's canopy fascia will feature colorful scenes from the local area. This carousel is being
custom built for the Park and will be an exciting and joyful greeting for guests arriving at the Plaza! The Climbing Wall has been moved from its original site behind the Plaza Stage
to a location across the promenade from the Canyon Coaster. Behind the Stage is the location of a new Western Themed Ferris Wheel that is about the same height as the Climbing Wall.
At the north end of the promenade just beyond the current Zip Line /Bungee Tower is the location for a small roller coaster. These attractions are all specifically designed to appeal
to families with young children. The rides offer varying levels of excitement and are built to allow adults to ride with the small children. All three of these attractions have been
purchased and will be in operation for the 2012 season. Park -2013 and Beyond The following improvements will be under construction in 2012 but not in operation until 2013 or 2014. One
of the most exciting undertakings will be the boring of a new tunnel connecting one of the more southerly cavern rooms to the surface at a point 110/-.1".' southeasterly and down slope
of the Visitor Center. The new bore will allow Cave C{ . () ( tours to enter the caverns at the upper portal, and at the end of the tour, exit through {·vr LM~'L this new portal. Currently
tours are required to retrace their cave tour route and exit at "q the original entry portal. This results in congestion between tour groups and extends \ the length of the tour while
retracing through previously viewed areas of the caverns. The new exiting portal allows for continuous flow tours that ushers the tour through previously unavailable rooms of the caverns.
There will be no retracing of the tour path and no interaction with other tour groups. This new configuration will not only dramatically enhance the cave tour experience but will also
improve efficiently of the tour operation increasing the hourly capacity of the cave tours and decreasing wait times for a cave tour. Currently, during summer peaks, the wait for a cave
tour can be as much as three hours. When guest exit the new cave portal, they will follow a new gentle gradient pedestrian walkway westerly to a point near the Tram alignment. Here they
will step onto a Magic Carpet Ride People Mover (continuous belt escalator) and ride the Carpet approximately 500 feet up the mountain through Pinion/Juniper forest to the Visitor Center
area. The Magic Carpet Ride may also accommodate return guest traffic from 2
a future wave slide or similar attraction which would originate near the Visitor Center and terminate at the new pedestrian walkway. The pedestrian walkway will also be extended in an
easterly direction and then north to connect with the existing upper cave Portal landing. This walkway will provide a pleasant looping route along which guest can enjoy a peaceful stroll
through native forest highlighted by a spectacular view of Glenwood Canyon. Also during the summer of 2012, a family roller coaster will be installed on an existing topographic terrace
up-mountain from the Visitor Center and the Giant Swing. This coaster will be much more adventuresome than the smaller coaster being placed in operation in 2012 which will be favored
by younger children. At its high point the larger family coaster will reach a height of just over 50 feel. Located high on Iron Mountain, the views and exhilaration experienced by guest
at the high point of this coaster will not soon be forgotten. Although a portion of this coaster structure will extend above the evergreen forest, the dark colored framework combined
with the open character of the structural frame will allow the coaster to appear as nothing more than a bump in the Pinion/Juniper tree line. In association with the large coaster, new
pedestrian walkways will provide connection to the main Plaza. Along the new walkways will be seating opportunities and landscape enhancements all directed at providing an inviting and
relaxed retreat from the more exhilarating activities of the Park. The Visitor center will also see enhancements with the second level deck enclosed to expand the restaurant dining area.
The third level currently uncovered observation deck on the south and east side of the building will be covered to expand the available shaded casual seating area. The gift shop will
be expanded into the plaza area with an open deck on the roof of the expansion. Additional architectural detailing will enhance the visual character on the Plaza side of the Visitor
Center. Other potential enhancements include expansion of the retail building on the north side of the Plaza and restroom structures at the northerly end of the promenade and near the
large coaster. Improvement at the bus drop-off area will include an entry feature and retail/guest services building. A potential water flume ride is noted on the ridge above the large
coaster. Locations for attractions not yet identified or even envisioned are noted on the Site Plan as "Available" sites. General aesthetic and guest comfort enhancements will include
paving of the main Plaza and central promenade out to the bus drop-off area, permanent and seasonal shade structures, additional site furnishings, additional shade tree plantings at
select locations and expanded accent landscaping with planting beds and movable planters color splashed with seasonal flowers. All new installations will disturb the least amount of
native terrain as necessary to accommodate the new activity or attraction at the "Available" sites. All site disturbances will be mitigated by implementation of the Best Management Practices
defined by Boundaries Unlimited in their engineering report found at Tab 7 of this 3
application. Work has also begun on an application to the City of Glenwood Springs to amend the current Major Development Permit relative to provision of additional parking and potential
improvements at the lower Tramway Station and Ticket Office. Submission of this application is anticipated in mid to late winter 201. Land Use Change Permit -Requested Provisions 1.
Maximum guest occupancy at any single point in time during the day: 2,000 2. Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday 6:30 AM to 11 :30 PM Friday and Saturday 6:30 AM to 12:30 AM
3. Allowed Uses and Activities: A All existing uses including passenger Tramway and terminal stations; shuttle bus service; all buildings housing activities, attractions, guest support
services and administrative offices; all maintenance buildings and support facilities; and all wet and dry utility systems. This includes expansion, renovation and replacement of these
activities and uses as appropriate to accommodate the maximum mountain capacity defined herein and as compliant with applicable zoning and building code requirements. B. "Indoor Recreation"
and "Outdoor Recreation (Commercial)" as defined in the Unified Land Use Resolution 2008, as amended, effective January 1, 2009; updated through December 28, 2010 and more fully exemplified
by the following. 1) Indoor Recreation. A building in which recreational activities such as bowling, roller or ice skating take place and in which offices, retail sales of equipment
and restaurant/bar may occupy the building. As clarifying examples "Indoor Recreation" shall include uses such as Laser Tag Arena, theatre, educational and museum type exhibits, various
games of skill or entertainment such as a shooting gallery, simulator attraction, digital game arcades; retail sales activities such as art, crafts and photo studio and gallery, gift
shop; and other similar uses. 2) Outdoor Recreation (Commercial). An area or facility which offers entertainment, recreation, or games of skill for a fee, where any portion of the activity
takes place outside and may include lighted areas for use after dusk. As clarifying examples "Outdoor Recreation" shall include uses such as entertainment rides for all ages (examples;
carousel, coaster, mechanical swing, ongrade slide, water flume log ride, ferris wheel, zip line, on-grade continuous belt people 4
) mover, etc.); educational and museum type displays; food service carts, personal storage lockers; temporary restroom facilities; open air stage and/or amphitheater; outdoor food service
and seating areas; children's play structures; seasonal and permanent shade structures; ropes course; cave tours; and other similar uses and activities. 4. Tramway Maximum Capacity:
36 cars in 12 groups of 3, six passengers each. 5. Bus and Van Transportation Provisions: a. Normal transportation of guest during the peak season from the beginning of Memorial Day
weekend to the end of Labor Day weekend. b. Normal transportation of guests when Tram operation has been shut down due to weather conditions at any time of the year. c. Year round, weather
and road conditions allowing, transportation of guests who are fearful of riding the Tram including members of the guest's party. d. Transportation of guest when emergency conditions
warrant evacuation of the on-mountain Park as rapidly as possible. e. Maximum round trips per day by buses and vans transporting guests -30 6. Location of Allowed Uses: Installation
of new uses and the expansion, renovation or replacement of existing uses with a new use shall be allowed in the general area of their existing location or at locations noted on the
Site Plan as "Available", without further County land use change permit review. 5