Briefs Crested Butte

The Irwin snowcat has more room to move
Another discussion over snowcats in town was held at the Crested Butte Town Council meeting January 3. Ultimately, the C.S. Irwin Tucker snowcat can now take an extra block of a lap to pick up customers from their current offices at Fifth and Belleview while their new offices at Fourth and Belleview are completed.

“I thought we were through with this dilemma,” said citizen Cathy Sporcich. “I thought the times were set and the route was set and then on December 3, I saw the cat going off the prescribed route. They didn’t stick to what we all agreed to in this room. I think the people can walk one block to get on the cat. They are backcountry skiers. This could open up a can of worms.”
C.S. Irwin administrative director Kyra Martin emphasized the business had anticipated the office construction to be completed in December. “Walking a block or driving a block, it’s only one block,” she said. “For our customers, we’d like to drive.”
Mayor Leah Williams emphasized that extending the route would normally be an administrative decision but C.S. Irwin manager Alan Bernholtz, a former mayor, had wanted it brought up in front of the public. “So here we are,” she said.
“I’m disappointed they went off the route in December,” said councilperson Jim Schmidt. “I thought we were very clear that this was it. And then a few weeks later they are off the route and I hear they weren’t following the rules. That’s disappointing. It’s all good to be charming but you’ve got to keep your promises.”
“I agree with Jim and I think they should have followed the rules but this is a street legal vehicle and I’m not sure why we are even talking about it,” said councilperson John Wirsing. “I really don’t have a problem with them going another block.”
“It’s a new business and there are bound to be changes,” agreed councilperson Phoebe Wilson. “We should be flexible on this one.”
“Given the temporary timing and the fact it goes through a commercial area, I’m okay with adding the spur,” said councilperson Roland Mason.
“I’m disappointed too,” Bernholtz told Schmidt. “But we are a new business and I thought the building would be done earlier. We apologize. We don’t want to make it inconvenient for anyone.”
In the end, the council unanimously agreed to add the proposed spur to the snowcat route.

Big Mine Roof push
The council passed a resolution in support of partnering with Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) for a grant that will be used for a roof over the Big Mine ice rink. In that vein, parks and recreation director Jake Jones is organizing a capital campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to make the roof a reality. “We see some light at the end of the tunnel to make it happen,” he said. “We have three years to complete the project but would love to get it done this year. We need private contributions. This will happen. It is a winning project.”
Jones is hoping to raise about $200,000 through private foundation, granting agencies and the general public. The council also agreed to consider selling space on the new hockey boards to business contributors, but no final decision on that matter has been made.