Improvements at Explore Tahoe

6/09 tahoe mt. news unedited

By Kathryn Reed

Where’s the tallest mountain in the basin? Where’s that mountain with the cross of snow? Where are the tributaries of Lake Tahoe?
With a push of a button the answer will light up.
Before the throngs of visitors start arriving on the South Shore, Explore Tahoe expects to have a three-dimensional map of Lake Tahoe installed on the floor. It will be about 6 feet by 12 feet.
“We decided when we opened to not spend all the money,” explained Gary Moore, director of South Lake Tahoe Parks and Recreation. “We need more touch feely stuff for adults and we need more for children.”
Explore Tahoe opened in July 2007 as an urban trailhead in a city owned building that was originally designed to solely be a transit center. It’s a partnership the U.S. Forest Service and Heavenly.
For A few years the Heavenly Village property sat empty. Still, the city was paying about $160,000 a year to cover Park Avenue Development Management Agency costs and utilities. The cost of heated sidewalks adds up.
Some contend the building is not really a transit center. Those who are involved in running and funding the site say just the opposite.
“It is definitely used as a transit center,” said Nick Haven, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency transportation guru. “From my viewpoint it is a transit center and a very effective transit center. It gets locals to work and provides visitors interpretive information and points them to transit to explore Tahoe.”
California Tahoe Conservancy came up with the initial $1.4 million grant to get Explore Tahoe off the ground. The new displays, outside signs and flagpoles are costing the agency about $141,000.
South Lake Tahoe officials met with California officials before construction began to ensure state transportation dollars could be used in this manner.
“We think it’s a better use of the structure because it wasn’t trying to be a single function,” said Ray Lacey, CTC deputy director.
BlueGo buses are a regular fixture in the transit area. Tickets for the local bus system are available at Explore Tahoe. Amtrak buses pick up and drop off riders there. Ski shuttles and Nifty 50 Trolley are seasonal transit options.
Forest Service permits are sold there. Information is provided to people about how to access trails, beaches and other destinations via public transit.
It costs $128,000 to run the facility that is open 364 days a year. This covers one full-time employee, two part-timers, utilities, maintenance, outreach to schools, ranger and interpretive programs, special events, wireless services, supplies and other items.
Explore Tahoe generates about $91,000 a year in revenues from renting the upstairs to Heavenly Mountain Resort, leasing seven parking spots to Cecil’s Market, selling products and donations
At the May 5 City Council meeting, the partnership with Tahoe Heritage Foundation was canceled. Now Parks and Rec is completely responsible for all merchandise sold at Explore Tahoe, which could mean more revenues.
For more information about Explore Tahoe, go to http://www.recreationintahoe.com/explore_tahoe.