LTWC could move to high school campus

unedited 2/09 Tahoe Mt. News

By Kathryn Reed

South Tahoe High’s curriculum may be going to the animals.
Moving Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care to the 80-acre Gardner Mountain campus was first brought up two years. With the state coming up with an $80 million grant, the district is contemplating applying for $3 million of it in the form of a career and technical education grant.
People in the know emphasize that the idea is just in the exploratory stage. Even if it doesn’t pencil out for LTWC to relocate there, the district expects to apply for the grant.
If the animal rehabilitation facility were to move to the school site, it would likely go where the old pomo ski lift was.
Plans drawn up for a rehab facility-wildlife park for the old Meyers Landfill could possibly be adapted to the school site. EDAW, the international design firm with offices in South Lake Tahoe, put that proposal together.
The rehab center would be relocated first and then the education center developed. The last part of the equation is the wildlife park for non-releasable animals.
LTWC has been trying to get out of its residential location in the county for years. Locating enough land and money have been the stumbling blocks.
Is it a good idea for wildlife? “The location is wonderful,” says Tom Millham, who owns Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care with his wife, Cheryl.
Sue Novasel, who is on the boards of the school district and LTWC, updated the animal enthusiasts late last month about the possible grant.
“Everyone is really excited about it,” Novasel said. “The bottom line is I’d be thrilled if we could add Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care to our properties and work alongside that organization, to be able to include them as an educational arm.”
Academically, it’s a no-brainer. Partnerships with Lake Tahoe Community College, UC Davis, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies are possible. High school students could learn firsthand about wildlife biology, veterinary issues, how animals exist in their natural environment and a slew of other disciplines.
School board member Angela Swanson, who is spearheading the grant application, said July is the deadline to apply, with notification in December. This gives the district, LTWC and the city time to sort out details.
Swanson said liability issues will be addressed, but added models exist in California for things like this.
A total cost estimate to put the center at the school has not been done. Rough estimates are in the $6 million to $10 million range. Securing the initial $3 million grant could open doors to other funding sources because often secondary grants come after money is in hand.
The district’s stance is with the improvements breaking ground this summer from voter-approved bond money, this animal-environmental component with LTWC would place LTUSD on the map when it comes to parents looking to enroll their students in innovative programs.
As a destination for locals and visitors, it could be a money-maker for the city. Past City Council’s have supported LTWC and been instrumental in trying to find it a more permanent home. The current council has not discussed the topic.
“For one, it would be an economic boost to the economy,” Mayor Pro Tem Kathay Lovell said. She is a former LTWC board member. “It would tie-in the whole eco-tourism and all the things we’ve talked about in the past.”
However, definite hurdles exist.
Traffic-wise, the idea is questionable. The one advantage is that when LTWC is busiest – the summer months – the school is empty. Issues about traveling up Viking Way, Gardner and 13th streets would need to be addressed.
Already 13th Street is busy during the school year with buses, plus it’s the major thoroughfare residents use – so it’s a high traffic area.
Acreage-wise, it’s ideal. LTWC had wanted 25 acres, so more than enough land exists. Millham said he needs to walk the plot to get a better feel for the topography. Much of area past the football field is steep.
Who owns what, land leases and those types of issues are for future discussions. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency will have a huge say in whether the proposed use fits that parcel. Sewer and water access are other considerations.