Planning continues for the 'Metolian' resort near Camp Sherman

The eco-destination resort known as the Metolian is back on the rails after the latest Land Use Board Of Appeals (LUBA) hearing last month. The resort is the brainchild of the Sisters-based Dutch Pacific Resources, that hopes it will be a model for future eco-destination resorts in America.

Many attempts have been made to derail the resort planning, and new appeals opposing it are in the works. Opponents are concerned that new resorts in the area will have a negative impact on traffic, water and other resources and detract from the rustic and rural nature of the Camp Sherman area.

The developers are confident that the hurdles placed in the development's path can be surmounted, due to its purpoted low-impact use of land and the ecological partnerships that the project partners are forging.

The resort will be sited near Suttle Lake to the west of Sisters off Highway 20. The focus of the project is to provide a different resort experience than what is currently available to the Central Oregon tourist.

"We want to build strong shoulders at the Metolian. Most resorts in Central Oregon have one or sometimes two seasons. We want to be a year-round facility that attracts guests during all four seasons," said Jim Kean, co-manager of the development.

The vision goes beyond traditional golf-oriented resorts. In fact, golf is off the menu.

"Everywhere I go to seminars and workshops I hear the same thing: horses are the new golf. Equestrian centers are becoming a must-have for the new generation destination resorts. We are considering an equestrian facility due to our proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail," said Kean.

The Pacific Crest Trail is mainly known as a hiking trail, but this is actually a recent development.

"The (Pacific Crest) trail was originally envisioned as an equestrian trail, and that was how it was used originally in the 1930s. There are still a lot of people who ride it, and there are endless equestrian riding possibilities in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness area," said Kean, who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.

Other unusual facilities are envisioned.

"We are looking at the possibility of a velodrome in a multi-use building. This would provide a great winter activity in addition to the excellent cross country skiing possibilities in the area," said Shane Lundgren, the other co-manager of the development.

The use of strategic partnerships is envisioned to build economic synergy.

"We would consider working with Black Butte Ranch to expand the offerings that both of us have. We are not going to have any golf, and we might have guests that want to play. By the same token we will have some facilities that they will not have that their guests might want to use," said Lundgren.

The use of strategic partnerships to solve environmental issues is also on the platter.

"The Forest Service is excited about how we are going to provide some funding to help take care of the deferred maintenance that has occurred in the national forest that is in the area. The state also sees what we want to do to help with wildlife management and highway safety for game crossing as a positive help to the area," said Lundgren.

The developers believe that the new resort will provide a positive economic impact for the area without taking away from existing destination resorts.

"We believe that we will attract the REI crowd, and there isn't anyone else that has targeted that market segment. Of course, Sisters will benefit as it is the closest area for shopping, and we intend to use as much local resources as possible in the construction," said Lundgren.

In spite of the hurdles yet to be crossed and the current economic downturn, the tone of the developers remains positive. They believe they have a winning ticket.

"Oregon's greatest resource is its nature. People travel around the world for eco-tourism and don't find anything better than we have here. We hope that we can bring those people here and become a model for a new industry," said Lundgren.

For more information visit http://www.themetolian.com.