To the Board of Directors of Santa Fe Trail Council and others
interested in the future of Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch:
I won’t pretend to know a great deal about how to proceed with
rehabilitation of SPSR, nor do I believe that anyone else within our council
organization has the requisite skills and time to devote in order for
SPSR ready for next camping season. I do think that if great plans aren’t in
place soon for the latrines that burnt, permanent road improvements, arrangements
for staff row, women’s sleeping quarters (the annex is gone), and a medical
facility that provides for quarantine that the entire 2014 camping season could
be lost. If that happens troops that are forced to go elsewhere may not return
and SPSR could be doomed.
I suggest that Santa Fe Trail Council invest in a camp designer to
work with the Board of Directors and Camping Committee to design a master plan
for the future that harmonizes with existing facilities and to aggressively
design replacement facilities for the summer of 2014. The American Camp
Association (http://www.acacamps.org/sites/default/files/images/education/S-O%202020%20Toolbox.pdf)
could be one group to consider conducting the above suggestion. Of course, BSA
can probably recommend engineers and architects (or in-house personnel) for
this work.
My next suggestion is to invite contractors from SPSR’s trade
territory (including Pueblo) to respond to a council Request for Proposals
(RFP) that would include replacement latrines, electrical work, hot water
system for the showers, and concrete pads for staff and commissioner tents,
etc. The invited companies would be responsible to suggest, design, bid, and
construct whatever they want in hopes of enticing the Board to award their
company the work. The company winning the Board’s endorsement would be
responsible for building permits, health department sign-offs, Colorado water
board permits, etc.
If monies, a master plan, and a design is readied for a large
building to house a dining hall, kitchen, welcome center, etc. (presently being
dreamed about), then it could be included in the RFP, but probably will have to
wait a year.
The insurance proceeds have not been determined, but undoubtedly
won’t cover the cost of bringing the camp back to before the fire condition,
and certainly not to a level to meet Scouts, Scouters, staff, and volunteer’s
minimal expectations of comfort, safety and program needs. Therefore, I suggest
that in addition to the fundraising efforts underway by Council Executive
Stewart and the SPSR Staff Association that the Board be prepared to utilize
the council’s endowment fund to assure that the camp is ready and meets modern
expectations.
Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch cannot be ready with good intentions and a
handful of volunteers on weekends. Winter is not far off and volunteer labor
will be halted while a contractor could be in a position to work through the
harsh conditions that lie ahead. A completion date of May 1 might provide
sufficient time to adjust to contractor issues and supply problems in order to be
ready for ranger week in early June 2014.
I hope you will ask others in your circle of influence to read and
consider these suggestions.
Stephen Dean Bohrer
Alamosa, CO 81101
719-937-1311
