Changes afoot at Black Butte Ranch

Black Butte Ranch (BBR) General Manager Loy Helmly has met with the Friends of BBR to discuss potential changes at the Ranch.

Three major areas were outlined by Helmly:

The most costly proposal would be to expand the Glaze Meadow recreation area to add more pool facilities for residents and guests. The suggestion is to build a new enclosed 25-yard pool that would complement a new outdoor swimming pool replacing the single existing (and aging) pool.

The existing pool is tent-covered in the winter and is considered not large enough to serve summer crowds.

Parking would be doubled in the area serving the pools and associated health facilities (massage, fitness, aerobic training, etc.) There also would be a sports shop, improved dressing rooms and a snack bar.

The main BBR entrance off Highway 20 may also be changed. The existing guard kiosk would be removed and be replaced by a welcome center building for visitors. Ranch residents would benefit by better traffic flow patterns, according to Helmly, while visitors would be accommodated at the welcome center.

The recycling center located just inside the east gate would be removed, and a small post office building would be placed next to the existing country store.

There would be a new police/administration center in the general area.

Finally, Helmly presented potential changes in Section 5 of BBR. This is an 80-acre parcel of land located just off McAllister Road. The recycling center would be relocated here and there would be an area for RV storage. BBR equipment vehicles, maintenance and housekeeping would be stored in this area.

Section 5 already has the gravel pit. “There is a 200-year supply of gravel to supply the needs of BBR projects well into the future,” said Helmly.

Areas will be set aside for natural debris collection and solid waste disposal from the BBR sewer plant.

Tree plantings in Section 5 continue to do well according to Helmly. “Jack Barringer, BBR resident forester, reports an 86 percent survival rate.”

None of these potential changes yet have board approval.“The people at the Ranch are in the planning and discussion stages of what needs to be done. Many wish to leave for their children and grandchildren as good or better conditions than are now found at BBR,” said Helmly.