Preserving a Beaver Creek Landmark through Community Ownership & Professional Management
News
Pro-Shop & Driving Range for BC Golf Course Opened!
The Pro-Shop officially opened for business at 8 AM Thursday and was checked out
enthusiastically by coalition volunteers who will be offering friendly assistance Thursday through Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Manager Ken Stephens shares that he & the crew (Lee Weller, Joann Niehuis, Mikki Weissinger, Don Loucks, Sandy Newell, Max Clements, Gary Hilbers, and Maggie Holt) are looking forward to selling Tee and polo shirts, new golf balls, drinks, snacks, and artwork to old and new friends. Golf instruction from visiting pro, Mike Bishop, can be scheduled at the Pro-shop. 25% of those fees will go to help restore the Beaver Creek Golf Course.
The driving range is also open during those same hours. A small bucket of range balls is $3.00 and a large bucket (60+) of range balls is $5.00. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card are accepted. Please call 567-4487 during shop hours for further information or contact Ken Stephens at kenlee051@yahoo.com If you would like to volunteer to work at the Pro-Shop/driving range, please leave your contact information at the shop or email Ken.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Ranch House fund-raiser nets $20,000 plus
Steve Ayers
Staff Reporter
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BEAVER CREEK - The Ranch House Coalition's Round-Up fund-raiser raised nearly $20,000 in cash. According to event organizer Kala Pearson, it is enough to get the project started immediately.
Held on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the golf course and restaurant the group plans to bring back to life, the all-day affair included a silent auction, games, music and food.
About 1,200 area residents, along with a few outsiders, came to show their support.
And sometime during the party, one of those supporters offered up a couple of items, which, once they are turned to cash, should give the coalition all of the money it needs to finish rebuilding the Ranch House Restaurant, their most immediate goal.
"We received a 1970, all original, all prime condition, Mustang and a 1970 Chevy pick-up, also prime condition and all original. We are hoping they will get us all we need," Pearson says.
Prior to the fund-raiser, Pearson said the group needed around $30,000 to put a roof on the building, fix the hole in the dancehall wall where a cottonwood fell through a few years ago and rebuild the kitchen from the ground up.
"We've got enough for our roof, provided we can fix it barn-raising style with a lot of community volunteers, and will also get the hole fixed, right away. The rainy season is coming," Pearson says.
With the dream nudging ever so close to reality, Pearson thinks the coalition can have the restaurant open by the end of the year.
"We are moving ahead with the renovation plans," she says. "We will see how far it all goes, if we can cover it. We think we can cover it right after we sell the vehicles.
"The event was 1,000 percent worth all the effort of the over 25 people on the committee who put it together."
| 9/25/2011 Polishing the Gem Fund-raiser kicks off Ranch House project at golf course |
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BEAVER CREEK - A few months ago, while hosting the annual Beaver Creek Garden Tour, Verna Shafer got a call from two out-of-town visitors. The visitors, two ladies from Beverly Hills, were full of questions. "Tell me about the tour." "What can I expect?" "Where on earth is Beaver Creek?" Well acquainted with the affluent side of society from her years as an interior designer, Shafer wasn't expecting the two gracious women who eventually made their way to the banks of Beaver Creek. Nor will she forget what they said when their visit was over. "Even though the golf course was knee high in weeds and tall grass, they told me we had a hidden gem of a community. All it needed was a little polish," Shafer says. Ever since the community stepped up in a big way and purchased the center of their universe, specifically the dilapidated Ranch House Restaurant and the overgrown 100-acre Beaver Creek Golf Course, a lot of polishing has been going on. Volunteers have gutted the kitchen to the rafters. The irrigation system is running once again. And parts of the golf course look remarkably like a golf course, once again. But it didn't take much money to gut the restaurant, clean out the irrigation ditches or cut the grass. The part of the project that will cost the big bucks, however, the installation of a commercial kitchen for the restaurant, will. "We are concentrating our efforts on the restaurant first. It is our revenue generator for everything else we plan to do," says RHC President Kala Pearson. With that in mind, the Ranch House Coalition, the non-profit behind the resurrection, will host its inaugural community-wide/valley-wide fund-raiser, known as the Ranch House Round-Up on Saturday, Oct 1. They hope to be well on their way to raising the $30,000 needed for the kitchen by day's end. To raise that kind of money, the coalition has planned a full day of musical entertainment, an old west barbecue and beer bar, games like Frisbee golf and horseshoes and slew of other activities. The lineup of bands includes the headliner, Dina Preston Band, along with local groups Toucan Eddy Band, The Outlaws, The Switchbacks and Hired Hands. Verde Valley Sounds will also be spinning some dance music. And will also be a silent auction and a raffle for art, jewelry, dinners, golf stuff, antiques, collectables, even a 50-pound amethyst geode. The party runs from noon to 8 p.m., at the Beaver Creek Golf Course Clubhouse, 4250 N. Montezuma Ave., in beautiful downtown Lake Montezuma. Take I-17 to exit 293 and follow the signs. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for kids 5 to 12 and free for those under 5. |
Beaver Creek Golf Course/Ranch House Update - September 15, 2011
During September a major focus of the Coalition has been getting ready for the first annual Ranch House Round-Up fundraiser. Volunteer roofers are ready to put a new roof on the Ranch House and fix the hole in the wall, however funds are needed for the materials and
supplies required to get that done. Information about the event follows in the last paragraph of this section.
Through mid-September volunteers have cleared the main ditch and filled the lake; irrigation repairs have been completed to the front 9 fairways (previously, back 9) and watering to them begun. Maintenance equipment and some mowers have been acquired and full tune-ups are underway. MR-FD did a controlled burn of the slash pile as a wild-land training exercise. The restaurant kitchen demolition (non-load bearing walls) has been completed for the redesign for safer, more efficient usage. The pro-shop has been cleaned and stocking begun. Logos were designed and selected. The planning and ad campaign is underway for the Ranch House Round-Up.
Special thanks to:
· The Man Cave Shop Gang: Mike-Randy-Paul-Tom-Ron of Lake Montezuma & Rimrock
· The Kitchen Krewe: Chris-Patrick & the Shop Gang of Lake Montezuma & Rimrock
· The Field Bosses: Frank & Dave of McGuireville & Rimrock
· Sons of Ditches and Ladies of the Lake: too many to mention throughout Beaver Creek
· Volunteer Special Thanks: Richard Reece, architect with Reece-Angell-Rowe Architects of Flagstaff & Phoenix
The pro-shop will be open soon, the restaurant in the December/January time frame, and the first nine holes on temporary greens will be ready for play in the spring. (Dates are subject to change.) If you are interested in donating to the RHR-U silent auction, please call Verna at 928-567-3269 or email Sandy at newell4@q.com. To register your business or non-profit organization as a Round-Up vendor, please call Richard Casmier at 928-592-0232 or email member@ranchhousecoalition.com 
Ranch House Round-Up. The first annual Ranch House Round-Up will be Saturday, October 1, on the Beaver Creek Golf Course driving range at 4250 Montezuma Avenue, Lake Montezuma, from High Noon until 8 PM. RHR-U is a community fundraiser to help restore the Ranch House Restaurant and the golf course. Fun for the whole family is planned which includes: live music, Verde Valley's largest line dance, horses, Ranch House BBQ, an Old West Beer Bar, birdie and disc golf, a silent auction and raffle, commercial and non-profit vendors and much more. Adults $2, children 5 - 12 $1 and free under age 5. Sponsored by the Ranch House Coalition, Beaver Creek Community Development Corp and Beaver Creek Kiwanis with additional information at www.ranchhousecoalition.com.
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budget".
The Sons of Ditches and Ladies of the Lake have worked hard to restore water to Lake Montezuma.
Landscaping, has volunteered time, equipment, and expertise to help his community namesake begin to refill.
at a slow, steady pace in order to reduce ground absorption of the water.
have cleaned out about a mile of ditches, cut down fallen trees, and removed bee hives.
person was sent into the pipe to attack the roots of those historic cottonwood trees.
family held a party at the pipe with family members Gareld Sr, Gareld Jr, Russell, and Tim all working together.
before a dam was formed.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Ranch House Coalition coalition closes deal on golf course, restaurant in Lake Montezuma
Steve Ayers
Staff Reporter
LAKE MONTEZUMA - There are two great powers in the universe -- irresistible forces and immovable objects.
Whenever they meet, one must give way to the other, be it through brute force or a little give and take.
click here for Bugle article
 BCCDC Executive Board Members Janet Aniol, Kala Pearson, Walter Miller sign pre-closing financial docs with Frank Vocca at National Bank of Arizona
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RHC CLOSES ESCROW...
NOW THE REAL WORK BEGINS
More to come soon. |
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Ranch House Coalition nears goal
Close of escrow set for July 5
Steve Ayers
Staff Reporter
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
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| Beaver Creek residents are keeping their eyes on the marquee in front of the Ranch House Restaurant, monitoring fund-raising progress and awaiting the close of escrow. |
Over the last month and a half, members of the Ranch House Coalition, along with their devoted volunteers and supporters, have continued to raise money while attempting to stabilize the property -- all in hopes of closing escrow and taking possession on or about July 5.
"We are at $180,000. We need $190,000 for our down payment, but our goal remains $300,000. We will need more than the down payment to finish the job," says coalition President Kala Pearson.
Pearson says she is confident the coalition will have the money it needs to close escrow but making the close date will depend on when the current owners satisfying an outstanding IRS lien.
"The lien is expected to be taken care of sometime this week. We won't sign anything until we have a clear title. We do not want to inherit anything else," Pearson says.
The money appears to be coming in slightly easier than cooperation from the neighbors when it comes to restoring the irrigation system.
Although more than 200 bass, catfish and crappie were rescued from Lake Montezuma, more than 1,000 pounds of carp had to be hauled off to the Flagstaff landfill after two separate and unrelated incidents caused the lake to go dry.
In one incident a neighbor tapped into the ditch with a pump and caused the water level to fall. In another someone absconded with the equipment being used to regulate water levels.
"We've had some setbacks, but stuff happens," says coalition organizer Janet Aniol.
Aniol says the volunteers have had their share of difficulties rebuilding the system after it was left abandoned for two years.
"About two miles of ditch has been cleaned, but there are still some leaks that need repair," Aniol says. "And we have a stretch of pipe that will require another interruption to the water flow so it can be cleaned by specialized equipment. The bad news is that the condition of the lake won't get any better for a while."
The coalition is asking any neighbors to contact them at (928) 567-4083 before doing any work that could affect the irrigation system.
As for mowing the grass, Aniol says that will take place after the escrow closes.
RHC PROGRESS REPORT as of 6/26/11
The RHC Community
Development LLC has collected 60% of its $300,000 pledge goal towards
the acquisition and capital expenditure budget. Call (928) 567-4083 to arrange unit payment today.
The Ranch House Coalition volunteers have continued to do what they can on a property not yet owned by the community non-profit organization. As we reported last time, two steps forward then one & a half backward.
But the good news is that the paperwork has been signed and approved by the title company. The purchase and title transfer is scheduled for July 5. (This could slip a little later unless the seller settles one more lien on the property.) So no work party this holiday week end.
200 living crappie, catfish and
bass were rescued by Danny Lane and Lee VanDrome and relocated to the
pond. Last Sunday the Ladies of the Lake 
and the Sons of
Ditches removed 1000 pounds of dead carp from Lake Montezuma. These were
respectfully relocated for burial at the Flagstaff Landfill. Chris
and Simon Bosman donated their time, expertise, and equipment to jump start and
regulate the water flow from the pond to the lake which began to refill.
However their equipment was removed by person(s) unknown overnight.
In addition a resident chose to pump water from the system. These two actions dropped the level of the pond by a foot. This again dried up the
water flow to the lake. Please don't do anything that affects the
irrigation system without calling 567-4083 for a clearance to complete that
action. The consequences of tinkering with the ditches or ponds can be
unexpected and harmful.
An irrigation system left untended for two years needs lots of cleaning and repairs. About two miles of ditches have been cleaned by volunteers and some paid professionals. There are still leaks to be fixed. There is a stretch of pipe that needs cleaning by specialized equipment. For this, the water flow will have to be cut off for several days. The bad news is that the condition of the lake won't get better for a while, but when it can be refilled, the water will remain. Meanwhile the diversion lakes have been mowed and cleared as a monsoon safety precaution. Much additional mowing needs to be done and is scheduled to begin when the Coalition takes ownership of the property.
Coalition members, volunteers, and supporters, please watch the marquis in front of the Ranch House for the date and time of Transfer of Title Celebration and ground breaking ceremony on the Ranch House patio.
The RHC Community Development LLC has reached 55% of its fund raising goal of $300,000 towards the acquisition and capital expenditure budget. Call (928) 567-4083 for investment information and reserve your unit today.
The membership drive is continuing. RHC will be featured as "Business of the Week" Monday June 20 - Friday June 24 at National Bank of Arizona - Camp Verde Branch. Pick up a membership sign-up brochure and JOIN TODAY. Click here and sign up today to help preserve and restore this historic landmark.
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Beaver Creek area volunteers worked to clean out the ditches, clear away fallen trees and invasive plants and repair breaches. Kudos to the Sons of Ditches / Lake Montezuma Young Backs / Brothers Family Tree Landscape / area residents ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO GET WATER TO THE LAKE. Over 200 fish were transplanted from the lake to the holding pond. Rock dams at the ditch headwaters were altered to allow more flow. Weirs at the ditch head water were patched and secured. Water leakage from the pump house to broken fairways lines was cut off. Major obstructions and diversions in the ditch running from the pond to the lake was removed. Water is now flowing from the holding pond to the lake. Crews are monitoring this flow daily. There is a blockage in the irrigation pipes at Beaver Hollow. Crews are evaluating the safest, most cost efficient way of removing tree roots growing in the pipe. Removal of the tree roots will increase the water flow through the system and fill the lake more efficiently and quickly. Beaver Creek levels are dropping due to less snow melt and up stream irrigation withdrawals. These patches are temporary in nature and will require revisiting with more permanent solutions in the near future.
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Montezuma Rimrock Water Company provided 35,000 gallons of water from the clean out of its new well scheduled to serve the Montezuma Estates community. Kudos to MR Water Co. The Montezuma Rimrock Fire District transported the water releasing it on the trees along the Ranch House Restaurant, the driving range and a fairway. The department also cut 2 of the dead trees on the fairway during a training exercise. More to come as their schedule permits. Kudos to the Men and women of your local fire district!
Press Release - June 8, 2011
PRO-ACTIVE COALITION WORKING TO RESTORE COMMUNITY ASSET click here for release
RHC Progress Report as of June 1, 2011
The RHC Community Development LLC has reached 33% of its fund raising goal of $300,000 towards the acquisition and capital expenditure budget. Additional pledges are expected to be deposited this week bringing the raised funds to $150,000. The deadline to raise the balance is rapidly approaching. The Ranch House Coalition Core Action Team is working feverishly to reach its goal by June 30th. Call (928) 567-4083 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (928) 567-4083 end_of_the_skype_highlighting for investment information and reserve your unit today.
The membership drive is on. The goal is to recruit 400 members for the Ranch House Coalition responsible for the initial support and restoration of the Ranch House Restaurant and 100 members for the Beaver Creek Golf Course Coalition responsible for the initial support and restoration of the golf course. The present membership stands at 150. The Coalition’s membership drive will be targeting residents of the Verde Valley and Flagstaff in addition to residents of the Beaver Creek area. Membership is open to individuals, families, businesses and area non-profit organizations. Click here and sign up today to help preserve and restore this historic landmark.
Beaver Creek area volunteers were out in force, before Memorial Day weekend, armed with personal weed whackers, lawn mowers and various other implements of weed destruction, motivated to help spruce up the Beaver Creek Golf Course and Ranch House Restaurant grounds. The Ranch House Coalition received permission from the owners to make the grounds fire safe while also trimming trees and brush and weeding areas around the course. LMPOA provided the heavy equipment rental, fuel and operators and safety gear for the weekend event. The property has been dormant and neglected for the past two years. Kudos to LMPOA and RHC Volunteers!
The Montezuma Rimrock Fire District will be coordinating a series of training exercises with neighboring fire districts watering the trees around the Ranch House and Fairways in an attempt to keep them alive until we can get the irrigation system up and running. Additionally, they will be cutting the dead trees around the property to prevent the spreading of disease affecting them from lack of water. Kudos to the men and women of your local fire district!
‘Sons of a Ditch’
Volunteer crews have been cleaning and making minor repairs of the irrigation
ditches running from Chipmunk Hollow to the holding pond over the past several
days. This ditch system is the method by
which the lake of Lake Montezuma is filled. The ditches are in need of major repair
and continuous monitoring. A ditch
management team is being assembled who will be responsible for keeping the
trails along the ditch cleared and the water flowing without breach or
obstructions. Free ‘Sons of a Ditch’ tee shirts are available to all volunteers
working on the project. Click here for volunteer sign up.
| 5/15/2011 7:53:00 AM Saving the Beaver Creek golf course and financing a community business venture |
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BEAVER CREEK - The purchase and restoration of the Beaver Creek Golf Course and Ranch House Restaurant is arguably the largest community-financed business venture ever attempted in the Verde Valley. After several months of intense and often adversarial negotiations with the current owners, the Ranch House Coalition, a loosely knit group of residents best described as a movement, signed a deal two weeks ago to purchase both properties on 120 acres for $970,000. Success will take a long and costly commitment. But those behind the effort are deeply committed. None of them consider failure an option. "There are more opportunities for success than there are for failure. There isn't anything we can't do working together," says Janet Anoil, president of the Lake Montezuma Homeowner's Association and the person heading up the financial side of the project. The group's first challenge will be raising the $200,000 needed as a down payment, most of which will go toward back taxes and other encumbrances that have piled up since the last owners filed bankruptcy. The rest will cover other ancillary expenses including the $20,000 already expended in attorney fees. To accomplish their goal the group has formed two corporations, Beaver Creek Community Development Corporation (BCCDC), a nonprofit corporation that will coordinate the restoration of the restaurant and the golf course, and RHC Community Development LLC to finance the purchase of the properties. Within the BCCDC are two separate membership funds, one to pay for the restoration of the restaurant and one to pay for the restoration of the golf course. Restaurant memberships run $100 to $3,000, golf course memberships $500 to $5,000. They are now being actively sold. The LLC is an investment fund, initially being sold in 60, $5,000 units. The money will be placed in CDs as collateral to secure a bank loan for the purchase. Of the 60 units, 15 units are committed with five pending. The remaining 40 units are seeking investors. Once the down payment is made there will be no payments due for six months. Then there will be a $1,500 a month payment for the next 18 months, followed by two years at $3,000 a month and the fifth year at $5,000 a month. A balloon payment will be due at the end of five years. "We figure we are going to need at least $200,000 to refurbish the restaurant. The golf course will take additional planning and community input before we know how much we will need," says Kala Pearson, chairperson for the coalition. Anyone interested in investing or helping with the financial side of the project is asked to contact Janet Aniol at (928) 592-2839 . Ranch House Coalition unveils restoration plans for property By Steve Ayers Staff Reporter BEAVER CREEK - A deal has been struck. Escrow is open. Now the hard part begins. A movement that began almost two years ago to rebuild and restore the landmark Ranch House Restaurant and Beaver Creek Golf Course is at last bearing fruit. To their credit, the Ranch House Coalition, the group behind the project, is pragmatic, persistent and methodical. They understand the costs, the challenges and the realities of the project. And they realize its success will depend in large part on attracting others to the cause. "We can do this. I have no doubt," says RHC chairperson Kala Pearson, "These properties are the community's past and future. The Beaver Creek community has always come together when they needed to. And we need to once again." The group has a plan that will begin unfolding immediately. It starts with the restaurant. "Once we get the restaurant up and running we will have a revenue generator that will help carry the rest of the project. That's why we will be concentrating our initial effort there," says RHC Chairperson Kala Pearson. "We have to address the health and safety issues first. We will need ADA compliant bathrooms, we will need to rewire the entire building, redo much of the plumbing and the fire suppression system. And we know we need to replace the roof. " Pearson says the rebuilding of the restaurant will depend on volunteers. "We can pay for some of the work, but we will try to limit that to those areas of expertise we can't find. We hope the volunteers will cut our renovation costs in half," she says. Regarding the golf course, Pearson says that project will take some time. However, the group has enlisted a team of course designers and others familiar with the old course that have agreed to assist, at no cost. "We are planning a golf and open space general meeting for May 26. At that meeting we will bring in Forest Richardson, a golf course architect with long standing ties to the course, along with David Snyder, nephew of the original course designer Jack Snyder, and Jack's brother Carl. "They will help us assess what we can do with the property the way it is, and what the costs will be to bring it back to a nine-hole, or an 18-hole, or an executive course, and what other types of open space recreational uses we might consider," Pearson says. She says the discussion may include the incorporation of amenities such as tennis courts or a dog park. "Whatever we decide to do, it has to be of interest to a wider group of people in our community than just the golfers, yet it has to be something that can generate revenue. That is why the course is important and why it has to be of a caliber that will sustain itself,' Pearson says. Simultaneous to the fundraising and planning efforts, volunteers will begin work on the golf course grounds immediately. Volunteers are being sought for a work weekend, May 21-22. "Our first goal will be to knock down all the weeds and rebuild the irrigation system so we can once again fill the lake," Pearson says. "Right now we have a need for many volunteers for many jobs, but the first is for an army of weed whackers and riding mowers." For additional questions, to volunteer or help with the fundraising, contact Pearson at (928) 567-4788 . |
| 4/29/2011 1:26:00 PM Beaver Creek Ranch House Coalition reaches agreement for takeover |
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After nearly a year of negotiations and many delays, members of the Ranch House Coalition announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached to take over the Ranch House Restaurant and golf course. The not-for-profit group, Beaver Creek Community Development Corporation, will enter escrow with owners, Beaver Creek Golf Resort LLC, within the next few days. They intend to finalize the deal by July 1, just in time to have a work party before celebrating Independence Day at Sycamore Park. "There are several Beaver Creek residents and investors that have pledged monies toward the purchase of the property," said Kala Pearson, president of the non-profit group, "and the time has come for everyone to make good on those pledges. "We've had a lot of interest in the project from state and local officials and government agencies, and will be relying on them to help us obtain long term financing and grants to help develop the recreational facilities and irrigation systems," said Pearson. Janet Aniol, president of the Lake Montezuma Property Owners Association and a director with the group, said, "Our first priority will be to get the weeds cut to avoid fire hazards in the area. We're putting a call out to the many volunteers to start work on the restaurant and course as soon as we get the keys. This includes cleaning and repairing the irrigation system that feeds Lake Montezuma, which is very important to residents," said Aniol. In regards to previously heated negotiations, Pearson said, "Everyone had to take a step back and let things cool off. During that cooling-off period, a private party had offered to buy just the restaurant, which was later withdrawn. After nearly a month of due diligence, they discovered that the conditions and zoning were not conducive with their plans. "We've said all along that this project was too cumbersome for any one private individual unless they are purely altruistic with deep pockets," said Pearson. "It will take the whole village to raise this child and make a go of it. Beaver Creek is the community to do just that." Members of the Coalition can be reached at 928 592-2839 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 928 592-2839 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or 928 301-9317 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 928 301-9317 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, and at the Beaver Creek Adult Center at Rollins Square. |
Ranch House Coalition Votes to Proceed...
November 22, 2010
After last Monday's Coalition
Membership Emergency Meeting, the advisory board (Core Action Team)
met to develop and review a course of action. It was decided that the
best approach was to go ahead with the initial plans for the restaurant, albeit
broadening the fund raising efforts through the development of a CD secured
loan fund with the local bank (National Bank of Rimrock) to handle the advance
of $100k. 
Also decided was to develop a special golf task force whose job it would be to come up with a plan for the golf course (use and financing). A separate membership program will be established for those people interested in just the golf course as a golf course - separate and apart from the Ranch House Restaurant. Although under the same Coalition umbrella, for now, it is geared towards golfers and corporations.
Additionally, the lack of maintenance of the golf course and the lake is a big problem for the people owning property in Lake Montezuma. Suggested was a voluntary assessment of $50.00 per year instituted by LMPOA to its members under a Lake Montezuma Beautification Program. This fund can contribute to the maintenance of the golf course and the lake as people in the area will need to take a little responsibility for keeping it maintained to a level of safety. LMPOA will be working on this over the next few weeks.
The CAT team voted to immediately engage legal counsel, Tony Cullum, to complete the negotiations and commence the necessary paper work to solidify the lease purchase. A new membership brochure outlining the membership level is being published for general distribution.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Setting a course: Ranch House Coalition presses on with acquisition
By Steve Ayers
Staff Reporter
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| VVN/Steve Ayers The county has mandated that the Beaver creek Golf Course be kept trimmed, even though the owners have otherwise abandoned it. In the meantime the Ranch House Coalition, a group wanting to purchase the 104-acre property, is trying to gather community support and exploring acquisition options. |
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After mulling over a list of options last week, the group met again on Wednesday evening and began assigning responsibilities to the members.
One group will be visiting with those who made financial pledges of support of almost $30,000 to begin collecting those pledges.
A second group will begin gathering information so an educated estimate can be made of how much it will cost to resurrect and maintain the golf course, should the group successfully acquire the property.
A third group will begin sending out letters to all 5,000-plus homes in the Beaver Creek community to give everyone an update on the status of the golf course, explain the options for purchasing and maintaining the property, to solicit support and get a feel for how the community feels.
"We voted a long time ago to support the Ranch House Coalition," says Janet Aniol, president of the Lake Montezuma Property Association, "but this can't be one of those things that a few people of a few organizations will support. The community needs to be informed and show they are willing to help."
Ranch House Collation organizer Kala Pearson says the finance options being considered include the creation of a special improvement district, private financing, bank loans and/or the issuance of a private bond.
"We have had discussions with the owners' attorney and he has let us know that whatever it is we come up with, they are not going to carry the paper. It will have to be a cash deal," Pearson says.
She says representatives of the coalition met last week with county officials, and they are awaiting an opinion from Deputy County Attorney Randy Schurr on the feasibility of forming a special improvement district.
"The advantage of a district is that it can fund both the purchase and maintenance of the property. But they didn't quite know if it would work for us. So we are waiting to see if what we are proposing to do would be legal and, if so, how it would work," Pearson says.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Ranch House Coalition explores options
Thursday, September 16, 2010
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| The
Ranch House Coalition, a group of residents from the Beaver Creek
community interested in buying the shuttered Ranch House Restaurant and
golf course, is faced with many obstacles, not the least of which is the
current owners’ insistence in asking more that the property’s fair
market value. |
At a Wednesday meeting of members and supporters of the Ranch House Coalition, organizer Kala Pearson laid out a list of options, in hopes of getting some sense of the community's wishes.
Among the options being explored is the creation of a Special Improvement District, which would pay for the property and its operations through a property tax, a low-interest loan underwritten by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the sale of private bonds.
There is also the option of waiting to see if a private party comes along and purchases the properties.
To date, the Ranch House Coalition has received $30,000 in pledges from the community. They have also made the owners, Rob Shabatka and Seth Williams, an offer of $500,000 for both the golf course and the restaurant.
Williams and Shabatka rejected the offer, according to Pearson, countering with a figure of $1.2 to $1.7 million.
"As far as the community is concerned, we have had a great response. As far as the owners are concerned, it has been a challenge," Pearson said.
After presenting several ads for golf courses across the country that are currently on the market, which indicated the price sought by the owners is considerably more than its current market value, Pearson gave those in attendance a breakdown of their financial options.
All have the their advantages and drawbacks, but perhaps the biggest obstacle, according to Pearson, is the inflated price being sought by the owners. Private lending institutions and the government require appraisals and neither will lend or permit borrowing in excess of fair market value.
"No one wants to pay more than it's worth. That's the crux of the whole thing," Pearson said.
Nevertheless, those attending the meeting unanimously agreed that they want to save the focal point of the Lake Montezuma community and that they need to do something.
What they ultimately do, however, will have to wait until they get a broader consensus of the community.
"We have decided to get a letter out to every property owner in the Beaver Creek community, explaining the situation and our options and trying to get a feel for where people are at," Pearson said.
"In the meantime we will be taking a look at creating the special improvement district. We have a meeting with the county to find out what we need to do, step by step."
