CBMR adding mini golf to Base Area Adventure Park

Resort requests funds from DDA

Miniature golf is coming to the Adventure Park at Crested Butte Mountain this summer, and the resort hopes it will be a hole in one.

But first they have to decide whether the course will have nine holes or 18.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort came to the Mt. Crested Butte Downtown Development Authority meeting on Monday, April 5 to request financial assistance to build an 18-hole course, to the tune of $14,000. The goal was to combine that amount with an $11,000 contribution from CBMR, which would enable CBMR to build an 18-hole course instead of nine holes. The DDA didn’t commit to the project, but instead requested more information from Nick Herrin, CBMR’s director of resort services.
Herrin explained the reasoning behind the mini golf project, which will be located beneath the dome-like structure that currently covers the ice rink. “We felt we needed a family activity, and the synthetic ice rink didn’t go over as well as expected with our guests,” he said. The synthetic ice didn’t respond well to fluctuating temperatures and other environmental factors, and the surface dulled skaters’ blades too quickly. CBMR removed the synthetic ice and replaced it with real ice for the winter.
“We want to make sure families can be involved—it helps lead to a longer length of stay,” Herrin said, speaking to the attraction of the golf course. A nine-hole course sees a half-hour “stay” compared to one hour and 15 minutes for 18 holes, according to Herrin.
“CBMR was able to find funds to add a nine-hole course,” Herrin said. But ideally, they’d like to have 18 to promote a longer stay and enhance the guest experience.
“So what are you asking of us?” DDA Chair Allen Cox asked.
“We’re asking DDA for $14,000,” Herrin said. Acknowledging the DDA’s budget constraints, he proposed that the funds come from the royalties paid to the DDA (15 percent of the Adventure Park’s revenues go back to the DDA), as a form of reinvestment in the Adventure Park.
“I feel like if we are giving back all our royalties, we are giving CBMR an interest-free loan,” said DDA board member Sara Morgan.
Board member Gary Keiser suggested that the DDA consider allocating the $14,000 as a new investment, rather than reinvesting the royalties paid to the DDA by CBMR into the Adventure Park. That way Morgan’s concerns would be addressed.
“Will the golf course be open in the winter?” DDA board member Chip Christian asked.
“No, we can remove the golf course and bring back the ice rink,” Herrin responded.
“Have you physically seen it?” Christian asked. “The last thing I think we need up there is a cheesy, moveable thing.”
One advantage of the courses built by Miniature Golf Inc. is that they can be moved easily, according to Herrin.
“We’re going with the pro model—it’s designed so it’s a little more high-end,” he said. “It’s got more terrain features than windmills, with features that try to match a sandpit or a water hazard. It’s not the Disneyland model, with windmills and bridges,” Herrin said.
“I think people want to see that windmill, right?” DDA board member Jamie Watt posed.
“Can you put in the nine and maybe add on later?” Morgan asked. According to Herrin, it is a possibility.
Christian couldn’t see spending DDA money without doing more research. “I’m really bothered that we’d spend that kind of money without physically seeing it, without doing some physical research.”
Cox said the DDA shares some of the responsibility for the Adventure Park. “This is kind of a joint venture between the DDA and CBMR. I had a dream that we’d have ice skating in the summer. That place is going to be dead in the summer. I’d rather see 18 holes. I think it’s a little bit of our responsibility, since we all screwed up on the synthetic ice—we all agreed to it. If it sits there with nothing going on it’s going to ruin the feel of the Adventure Park.”
“There won’t be ‘nothing’ going on,” Christian replied. “I can’t personally vote for something CBMR hasn’t physically seen. Do they have any built in in-climate environments? What’s the warranty with this product? I travel a lot, maybe I could stop somewhere and see one.”
“I don’t have the warranty information on that yet,” Herrin said. He told the board he could gather that information quickly and get it to the board members.
“I can’t imagine anyone would put that kind of money out there without a warranty,” Christian elaborated. “Before I do anything I want to see the product.”
Herrin agreed to get the board more information. CBMR hopes to order the golf course mid-April, and have it ready to play around June 15.