Sunriver
OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still time to put in your application for board candidacy Page 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE SROA News.................... 4 Nature Center................ 8 Calendar...................... 13
Public Safety................ 27 Classified..................... 38 Editorial...................... 39
The coronavirus hasn’t stopped preparations for wildfire season and ladder fuels pickup Page 14
S UN RIVER
S C E N E A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
APRIL • 2020
VOLUME XLVI • NUMBER 4
All SROA offices, facilities closed The SROA administration office, Public Works office, SHARC and all recreational facilities are closed until further notice to owners and the public following the orders Gov. Kate Brown on March 23 for everyone to stay at home. Key SROA staff is available to answer questions by phone and email. Contact information is available on the website at www. sunriverowners.org/coronavirus. Due to the closure, please allow up to 72 hours for a response. We’re here to help, if we can, but may be limited on what we can do. SROA’s foyer will remain open 24/7 should you need to drop something off as there is a locked drop box that will be checked regularly. The foyer is also stocked with various documents you may need. Updates relative to SROA-provided services and other association information can be found on the SROA website at www.sunriver owners.org
The Village at Sunriver is empty after closures and state orders.
Sunriver closes down in wake of COVID-19, Gov. Brown orders By Susan Berger, Sunriver Scene On March 11, Deschutes County Public Health Services announced the first known presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county. Later that day, Gov. Kate Brown declared a statewide mandate to reduce the spread of the virus, including a four-week ban and/or cancellation of any gathering or event larger than 250 people. During a press conference the following day, it was noted this it is highly likely there are hundreds of unknown cases already in the state. “If we take projections from Washington
and estimate a doubling of cases every week, this could mean over 75,000 cases in Oregon by mid-May without taking aggressive action,” said Dr. Dean Sidelinger of Oregon Health Authority. In an effort to slow the spread, actions include “social distancing” along with the cancellation of public events, closure of bars, schools and other gathering places. Many Sunriver businesses followed suit in an effort to protect their staff and clientele. Sit-down restaurants were allowed to remain open, but were limited to takeout service.
• hold an Arbor Day observance or celebration Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits. “Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, presi-
On March 13, through the unprecedented action of SROA Board President Keith Mobley, the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center was the first major facility in Sunriver to close. Sunriver Owners Association administrative offices also closed with only key staff on hand to assist owners by phone or email. “The safety of our owners, and the public, is our primary focus and we have taken all federal, state and local recommendations very seriously,” said outgoing SROA general manager Hugh Palcic. “We encourage everyone to be self-responsible, stay home and limit their exposure so we all can remain healthy, assist in suppressing
Turn to Celebrate, page 3
Turn to COVID-19, page 15
Sunriver celebrates 40th anniversary as a Tree City USA Sunriver hits a 40 year milestone as a Tree City USA for its continued c o m m i t m e n t t o u r b a n f o re s t management. A program by the Arbor Day Foundation, Sunriver has the distinction of being the oldest Tree City USA in Oregon east of the Cascades and fourth oldest in the state behind Salem (44 years), Portland (43 years) and Eugene (41 years). Of the 66 Tree City honorees in Oregon, Sunriver remains one of two unincorporated communities to receive Tree City status as unincorporated communities are no longer eligible. SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XLVI • NUMBER 4 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
There are four core standards that must be met to be a Tree City: • spend a minimum $2 per capita on urban forestry • maintaining a tree board or department • having a community tree ordinance
SHARC Guest Services Representative Sean Lawson, and other staff, used the initial closure time to deep clean the SHARC facility.
PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213