Within days of opening its doors, the new $22 million YMCA in Ketchum had one of those unexpected "Oops!" moments.
After two years of construction on the 55,000-square-foot facility, the 'Y' was notified by the Ketchum Planning Department that its big-wattage outdoor lights were too bright and couldn't meet the city's "dark skies" ordinance standards.
The lights were promptly turned off.
Senior Planner Mark Goodman told the Mountain Express that the large bulbs in some two dozen outside light fixtures were a special size and could not be replaced by bulbs of less wattage.
Goodman said the 'Y' has decided to install hoods on the existing fixtures, which have shallow shades that don't adequately conceal the brightness.
Butch Clark, speaking for the Y's contractor, Okland Construction, said the small, galvanized tin hoods, which are 6 inches deep and 4 inches in diameter, will be fitted over the bulbs, focusing a narrow light beam downward. He said he doesn't know the costs of the new hoods, which were made locally, but they would be in place this week.
The 'Y' is cooperating fully and working as fast as possible to located and install the hoods, Goodman said. Until the lighting comes into compliance, Goodman said the 'Y' will have a temporary certificate of occupancy.
In the meantime, the outside lights have been voluntarily turned off, except for several approved temporarily by the city for security purposes.
Ketchum enacted a "dark sky" ordinance in 1999 to quell light pollution and allow for clear views of star-lit nights. The cities of Hailey and Sun Valley and Blaine County have similar laws.
