Wednesday, April 14, 2004

SV plan is gift
to be welcomed

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Sun Valley Company’s newly proposed 50-year development plan realizes no one’s worst fears. On the contrary, it’s a dream plan.

The plan is as notable for what it did not do as what it did do.

It does not stuff buildings on every square inch of property owned by Earl Holding in Sun Valley and Ketchum.

It does not eradicate green space in favor of cheaper asphalt.

It does not eradicate the resort’s soccer field, which is home to the much-loved Sun Valley Summer Symphony.

It does not eliminate the Sun Valley Horsemen’s Center whose open fields, barns, and grazing horses give Sun Valley Resort’s entrance a sense of Western romance. Not only is the site important to Sun Valley, it is important as a staging area for Wagon Days, the valley’s largest summer event.

It does not eliminate the Gun Club. Instead it moves the active facility north.

The company’s plan does not threaten Ketchum’s downtown core by proposing a large competing commercial center at the base of River Run.

It does not abuse the city’s 64-foot height limit with ugly monoliths, unlike some developments that have alienated neighbors and infuriated city officials by trying to eke out every possible development dollar at the expense of the views and sunlight of shorter buildings next door.

It does not call for the closure of Dollar Mountain and the relocation of beginner skier and kids operations to Baldy.

Instead, the plan calls for some very wise development, indeed. The plan is sensitive to community concerns and is lovingly crafted to protect Sun Valley’s relaxed alpine ambience.

The immediate replacement of Dollar Mountain’s aged ski lodge is welcome news. Dollar is a sweet little mountain that takes a lot of the fright out of learning to ski or board. We’re glad to see the company’s firm commitment to it.

There is more good news in that the plan calls for two new hotels in Sun Valley and one at the base of River Run. The two in Sun Valley will not be taller than Sun Valley Lodge, the nation’s first destination ski lodge. Holding’s success as an hotelier is well recognized, and with the loss of hundreds of hotel rooms recently, the valley is in need of replacements—and more.

The plan shows imagination in creating a new nine-hole golf course and calling for a gondola that would run from the resort to Dollar Mountain and then to Baldy. The course will supplement scarce tee times. A gondola would decrease unnecessary traffic congestion and reduce parking needs at the base of Baldy.

For Sun Valley Company owner Earl Holding, his family and staff, and project consultants Design Workshop, the plan is one to be proud of. For Ketchum, Sun Valley and the rest of the Wood River Valley, it’s a gift to be welcomed.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.