The Sunriver Music Festival chooses pastel work by Barbara Kennedy to grace this year’s festival poster
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Nature Center ............... 8 Calendar ..................... 13 SROA Board................ 26
Public Safety ............... 34 Commentary ............... 45 Classified .................... 47
Sunriver has been honored for 35 years as a Tree City USA, the fourth oldest in all of Oregon
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S U N R I V E R
S C E N E A COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
MAY • 2015
VOLUME XLI • NUMBER 5
Public hearings on rail shipment of hazardous materials
The Oregon Department of Transportation is accepting comments on proposed changes to the rules governing transportation by rail of hazardous materials. Several public hearings are scheduled around the state, and anyone can review the materials online and submit comments. Responses are due May 12, and the final proposed rules are set to go before the Oregon Transportation Commission at its June 18 meeting. The proposed rules and the public hearings do not address whether or not crude oil or other commodities should be transported in Oregon; instead, they address required communications around the transport of the material. Public hearings • Tuesday, May 5, 3 or 6 p.m., at Blue Mountain Community College, Room ST200, 2411 NW Carden Avenue, Pendleton. • Wednesday, May 6, 3 or 6 p.m., Deschutes Public Library, Brooks Room, 601 Wall Street, Bend. • Thursday, May 7, 3 or 6 p.m., Klamath Community College, Room H138, 7390 S Sixth Street, Klamath Falls. • Monday, May 11, 3 or 6 p.m., Keizer City Hall, Room Iris B, 930 Chemawa Road NE, Keizer. SROA letter of support On April 20, the Sunriver Owners Association sent a letter in support of the proposed rule changes to Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney, who is chair of the Oregon Transportation Committee. “The entire eastern boundary of our community is directly adjacent to a main BNSF rail line. Our owners have voiced considerable concern with the transportation of volatile crude oil. We realize that it is the federal government that has the authority over such matters. However, the Oregon Department of Transportation does have the ability to Turn to Hearings, page 3 SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XLI • NUMBER 5 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
Following an unexpected rise in the river, the concrete pour for the boat ramp has been delayed, left. Tall stumps line a pathway that will soon undergo reconstruction, above.
SROA busy with boat launch, North Pool, pathway projects SROA Public Works Director Mark Smith has been working 12-hour shifts the past five weeks supervising construction of the new boat launch, upgrades to the North Pool, construction of nearly a mile of new pathway, reconstruction of four miles of existing pathway, and realignment of two other pathway segments. “I’ve never been busier and the Public Works crews are doing a great job taking ownership and responsibility for each project,” Smith said. Boat launch progress The new owners boat launch due
east of Hola Restaurant on the marina lagoon is on schedule for significant completion by late May. The ramp, parking lot, access road and card swipe gate entry system should be operational by Memorial Day weekend. A plumbed restroom at the site may not be ready until mid-June. The boat ramp project encountered several challenges. Qualified bids came in well over SROA’s contract engineer’s original estimate, prompting the board of directors to authorize an additional $225,000 from reserve accounts to ensure adequate funding for the project. Marshy soil conditions required ex-
cavating deeper than originally planned for the access road, parking lot and ramp areas. The road’s 12-inch gravel base now rests on a geotextile layer designed to keep the road from sinking in the soft soil. It will be topped with a 3-inch asphalt overlay making for a 15-inch thick driving surface, nearly twice that required on firmer soils. Construction of the boat ramp encountered numerous twists. A biologist nearly sank up to his armpits in silt while rescuing fish from the ramp project area, and had to be pulled out Turn to Busy, page 3
Sunriver Resort to offer sneak peek tours of remodeled facilities Sunriver Resort is inviting residents of Sunriver to experience “The New Sunriver Resort,” May 18-19. Residents can get an exclusive sneak peek tour of Sunriver Resort’s transformation projects, including: • The Cove at Sunriver, which features the Spotted Frog restaurant, zero entry pool, Mt. Bachelor lookout and waterslide, kids discovery area, nature walk, spotted frog habitat, and private cabanas. • Sunriver Resort’s new dining experiences include the Twisted River Tavern, Carson’s American Kitchen and The Living Room. • Newly updated rooms The one-hour tours will take place Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19. Space is limited. RSVP to Jayne Bristow at 541-593-4405.
The revamped and remodeled restaurant, lobby bar, tavern and new pool facility with its own café and bar, are slated to open by Memorial Day weekend. “Our goal is to create experiences where guests can relax and gather for Pacific Northwest-inspired food and drinks while enjoying Sunriver Resort’s one-of-a-kind setting,” said Tom O’Shea, Sunriver Resort’s managing director. “From relaxing poolside, to kicking back after a day of golf, or simply enjoying a meal with family, there is a unique experience awaiting every guest.” The resort said it was investing $50 million over five years. O’Shea said the resort is “proud to deliver on its transformative vision and commitment to offer unforgettable memories that keep guests coming back year after year.” PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213