HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.f. Memo to CSE Re- Outcome of Educational Facility Recommendation to Council 2015.08.18
To: Commission on Special Events (CSE)
From: Sybill Navas, Town of Vail Special Events Coordinator
Date: September 2, 1015
Subject: Update on the August 18, 2015 Town Council discussion of the CSE’s Memo
recommending development of a process and associated funding to explore the creation of a
year-round multi-use educational and theater facility in Vail.
Background: The CSE had been requested by the Town Council to identify “What is Vail
missing?” with respect to opportunities that would promote the Town’s Mission of providing
cultural and educational opportunities to our guests and citizens.
Outcome: The CSE’s memo was included in the Council’s packets under Information Update
on August 18, 2015 .Council members were split in their positions as to whether or not to
provide funding for this initiative at this time, and no decision was made in that regard.
Direction was given to collect information on what similar types of facilities presently exist in
peer resort communities. The Community Information Office will gather and compile
information gleaned from the Town of Vail’s previous research into building a facility that
would provide year-round, indoor opportunity to deliver the types of uses described in the
CSE’s memo. This information will be presented to the Town Council as part of the 2016
Town of Vail budget review.
ATTACHMENT: CSE’S Memo to Vail Town Council, dated August 18, 2015
“Creation of a Year-Round Multi-Use Education and Theater Facilities Memorandum”
8/18/2015 CSE Memo: Facilities for EE Events Page 1 of 2
To: Vail Town Council
From: Commission on Special Events
Date: 18 August, 2015
Subject: Creation of a year-round multi-use educational and theater facility.
Background: The Commission on Special Events (CSE) has been requested by Town of Vail
Council to report on the need for creation of year-round, multi-use educational and theater
facilities.
Per the request of Town Council, the CSE has identified a gap in availability of quality indoor
facilities for use by educational and enrichment programs in Vail. As these types of programs
have been identified as a core driver in the future growth of Town of Vail events and their
associated economic gains, it is appropriate that Council explore options for creating a location
(or set of locations) that could facilitate the growth of this segment of programming.
A year-round, flexible, high-tech campus of educational and enrichment facilities could be
available for a variety of uses, such as:
Lectures, Seminars and “Think Tank” Events
Participatory Learning and Certificate Programs
World-Class Auditorium for Music, Theater and Dance
Fine Arts Center for Displays, Art Gallery, and Exhibitions.
Gathering Space for Catered Private and Public Events
And some probable stakeholders in the facilities are:
Government – Local, Regional, National and International
Vail Centre, Vail Symposium
Colorado Mountain College
Eagle County Public Schools
Vail Valley Medical Center
Theater – Vail Valley Theater
Dance – Vail International Dance Festival
Music – Bravo!, Vail Jazz
Vail Valley Foundation, Vail Valley Partnership
Private Music, Dance & Theater Promoters
8/18/2015 CSE Memo: Facilities for EE Events Page 2 of 2
CSE therefore recommends that Council commit significant funding and effort to the
exploration of a permanent campus of flexible facilities that could be constructed on Town
property. This facility (or facilities) would include a world-class theater, technologically capable
lecture and meeting spaces, a gallery or exhibit hall, and a public/private gathering space
supported by back-of-house areas for food service/concessions and loading/staging. The ideal
location would be within the core along the In-Town shuttle line. Therefore, the best location as
recommended by CSE would be the east bench of the Lionshead Parking Structure (RV Lot). This
project could be done in conjunction with a refurbishment of Dobson Arena to maximize air
space, while also turning the ice sheet into a convertible use space that would provide an
indoor event and concert venue for up to 3500 people in addition to the uses above.
While CSE recommends that Council consider appropriating funds to initiate an inquiry process
researching the development of a dedicated year-round, multi-use facility to accommodate
these many partners and their varied uses, we recognize the limitations of space and funding as
a potential barrier to the creation of a new facility in the near future. Staff would come back to
Council for additional funding once a potential concept and location is discovered. Therefore,
in the short term, CSE also recommends that Council explore the possibility of
enhancing existing facilities (Donovan Pavilion, Grandview) and/or procuring other existing
facilities (Cascade, Tree Tops) that could be converted to be more flexible for these types of
events as a first step in what could be a multi-year phased project.
Action Requested of Council: CSE recommends that Council Members and/or staff immediately
commit an appropriate level of funds to explore the costs of procurement and alteration of
existing facilities not currently owned by Town of Vail, and/or enhancing existing TOV facilities.
CSE also requests that Council commit to implementation of a process to more clearly define
how to move forward, and to allocate an appropriate amount of capital funds and resources to
identify and pursue pathways to the permanent achievement of these economic goals over a
specified timeline.