Feasibility Study Biathlon and Nordic Skiing Facility Mammoth Lakes, CA December 15, 2011 Prepared by 543 Old Strong Road Thetford Center, Vermont 05075 In Cooperation With CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Plan Objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 8 1.2 Activities Conducted .......................................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Overall Structure of Report ............................................................................................................. 11 2.0 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Mammoth Area and Geographic Scope of Analysis .............................................................. 13 2.2 Economic Structure of Mammoth Lakes Region .................................................................... 14 2.3 Climate/Snow Characteristics ....................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Topography and Elevation .............................................................................................................. 15 2.5 Land Ownership and Management .............................................................................................. 15 2.6 Mammoth Region Trails ................................................................................................................... 17 2.7 Biathlon and Nordic Skiing in Mammoth Lakes Region ..................................................... 18 2.8 Regional Location ................................................................................................................................ 19 3.0 CONSIDERATIONS FOR BIATHLON AND NORDIC FACILITIES ................................................ 20 3.1 Competition and Recreation ........................................................................................................... 20 3.2 Biathlon .................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.1 Biathlon Requirements ............................................................................................................ 21 3.3 Nordic Skiing ......................................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.1 Overall Trail Planning and Design Considerations ...................................................... 25 3.3.2 FIS and USSA Homologation .................................................................................................. 26 3.4 Four-Season and Other Trail Uses ............................................................................................... 30 4.0 POTENTIAL SITE LOCATIONS ................................................................................................................ 32 4.1 Criteria Developed for Evaluation of Sites................................................................................ 32 4.2 Review of Three Sites Presented for Evaluation .................................................................... 34 4.3 Shady Rest Area and Campground ............................................................................................... 35 4.3.1 Site Overview ................................................................................................................................ 35 4.3.2 Shady Rest – Considerations for Future Trail and Venue Planning ...................... 37 Mammoth Lakes Biathlon and Nordic Skiing Facility – Feasibility Study Page 2 4.4 Panorama Dome ................................................................................................................................... 38 4.4.1 Site Overview ................................................................................................................................ 38 4.4.2 Panorama Dome – Proposed Venue Plan ......................................................................... 40 4.4.3 Next Steps for Panorama Dome Venue Development ................................................ 41 4.5 Inyo Craters ............................................................................................................................................ 43 4.5.1 Site Overview ................................................................................................................................ 43 4.5.2 Inyo Craters – Proposed Venue Plan .................................................................................. 45 4.5.3 Next Steps for Inyo Craters Venue Development ......................................................... 46 5.0 ECONOMIC IMPACTS .................................................................................................................................. 48 5.1 Mammoth’s Economy – An Overview ......................................................................................... 48 5.2 Demographic and Tourism Trends .............................................................................................. 51 5.3 Economic Impact Analysis ............................................................................................................... 52 5.3.1 Other Impacts ............................................................................................................................... 56 5.3.2 Economic Impact Evaluation of Different Sites ............................................................. 57 6.0 Financial Feasibility ..................................................................................................................................... 59 6.1 Capital Costs ........................................................................................................................................... 59 6.1.1 Operation and Maintenance Costs ...................................................................................... 65 6.2 Summary of Economic Impacts and Financial Feasibility ................................................. 66 7.0 ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................... 68 7.1 For-Profit Corporation or Related Entity .................................................................................. 68 7.2 Public Agency or Entity ..................................................................................................................... 69 7.3 Non-Profit or Quasi-Public Entity ................................................................................................ 70 8.0 DEVELOPING A BROADER NORDIC TRAIL NETWORK CONCEPT .......................................... 77 8.1 Concept for a Multi-Node Nordic Skiing Trail Network ...................................................... 78 8.2 Other Trail System Considerations .............................................................................................. 83 8.2.1 Mammoth Lakes Schools ......................................................................................................... 83 8.3 Point-to-Point Trails and Events................................................................................................... 83 8.3.1 Hut System ..................................................................................................................................... 83 9.0 SUMMARY AND MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................... 85 APPENDIX A– CRITERIA MATRIX FOR INITIAL SITE SELECTION .................................................. 87 APPENDIX B– MAMMOTH BIATHLON ADVISORY COMMITEE MINUTES ................................... 92 Mammoth Lakes Biathlon and Nordic Skiing Facility – Feasibility Study Page 3 Table of Accompanying Tables, Maps, Figures, and Boxes Table 2.1– Climate and Snowfall Data – Mammoth Lakes Ranger Station ................................... 15 Table 5.1 - List of Selected Major Employers in Mammoth Lakes (15 or more employees) 48 Table 5.2 – 2011 Establishment and Employment by Industry – Mammoth Lakes ................. 50 Table 5.3 –Impacts From a Biathlon/Nordic Trail Venue and Expanded Trails ........................ 54 Table 6.1 - Two Scenarios of Implementation for a Biathlon/Nordic Competition and Training Facility ..................................................................................................................................................... 60 Table 6.2 – Estimated Annual Operation and Maintenance Costs for Proposed Biathlon and Nordic Event Facility ............................................................................................................................................ 65 Table 7.1 - Examples of Prominent Nordic-Based Non-Profit Organizations ............................. 71 Map 2.1 – Mammoth Lakes and Mono County .......................................................................................... 13 Map 2.2 – Mammoth Lakes Area Land Ownership and Management ...........................................