Norris Design/Courtesy photo
Slopeside Hall will be the first building to have net-zero emissions in Frisco. The Peninsula Recreation Area will have a two-story structure that will complement the Frisco Day Lodge. It will provide more programming space, restrooms, and a changing area. It will also house staff offices, which are currently located at the day lodge basement.
Representatives from Norris Design met with Town Council to discuss the building, three related projects tubing hill storage and day lodge renovations, and a community plaza. The meeting was held Tuesday, April 12. Susan Lee, a community development planner for the town, provided updates to council on progress in value engineering for Slopeside Hall. She received feedback on sustainability from a Dec. 14 workshop.
Tuesday’s Town Council meeting heard from Lee that although the building remains as planned, some materials were modified. The fire lane will use gravel instead of asphalt to save about $350,000. Lee found that they could install a $160,000 solar photovoltaic system to offset 100% energy consumption. After a thorough review of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, staff decided to choose a variable refrigerant-flow system that could save $100,000.
Lee said that it was the best system for energy and operational efficiency.
A plaza will be built between Slopeside Hall, the day lodge and the day lodge. It will feature solar lights and a trellised stage. There will also be space for public art. Norris Design considered both summer and winter uses. The stages were designed to be flexible in orientation and can accommodate smaller or bigger events as well as weather changes. The plaza has a limited variation in grade, making it flat for snow removal.
One of the things we were really conscious of is to make sure that we are blending the old and the new and we’re being responsible with how we bring the two areas together and make it feel really cohesive, Megan Testin of Norris Design said. I think it’s really going to tie those two buildings together.
East of Slopeside Hall, is the relocated Yurt and proposed tube storage. Storage will be an open air, heavy timber structure with sliding barn doors. The costs of all four projects are still in flux. However, they are expected to cost approximately $7.1million. Tube storage costs are approximately $155,000 and day lodge renovations run around $611,000 due the cost of installing an lift. To account for construction costs and planning changes, a $400,000 design contingency and escalation contingency is included in the total.
The day lodges kitchen renovations are another detail that needs to be worked out. Dan Fallon, a Council member, questioned the scope and goals of the kitchen and asked if the larger range is necessary if it will be used primarily for catering.
He expressed concern over exhaust fans, grills, and other factors changing the pastoral ambiance.
(They) really aren’t a complimentary sensory experience to what exists out there at the (Peninsula Recreation Area) right now, Fallon said. Overheated oil, burgers on a grill being thrown into the atmosphere out here really does conflict with what’s going on.
According to the Websites for townsThe lodge also has a cafe that serves warm chili, hot dogs, nachos, and snacks like chips and candy in winter. Private functions are permitted to use third-party catering.
He acknowledged that kitchen costs were low, but wanted council to be clear about its offerings and if it should be a summer destination like Island Grill.
Andy Held Council, Council member, said he likes the idea for more gourmet fare. Melissa Sherburne was more open to the idea of a grab-and-go environment where people are not confined to the space for long periods.
A recent meeting of the Planning Commission discussed the possibility of a water feature in the plaza. However, council was divided. Due to sustainability concerns, Frisco Mayor Hunter Mortensen was against it as was Jessica Burley, Mayor Pro Tem.
We’re losing enough water daily with climate change, Mortensen said. I don’t think we need to exacerbate that anyway.
Sherburne said that as a mother, possibility is appealing to her. She agreed, however, that it would have to be done efficiently.
It just doesn’t really exist, Sherburne said. We can’t have outdoor swimming pools … for a tiny little window in the summer it would be really magical. So if there’s a way to look into that with recycled water or in a sustainable way, in my opinion I would love to explore that.
Staff will begin to solicit bids once construction documents have been received and a bid package has been created.