SROA has created a 2017 calendar filled with scenic images of Sunriver. The calendars are available for sale while supplies last
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE SROA News ................ 4-5 Calendar ..................... 13 SHARC News ............... 22
Public Safety ............... 27 Classified .................... 37 Editorial ..................... 39
Did Santa leave you a new fly rod under the tree? You might want to attend the fly fishing seminar taking place Jan. 21-22 at SHARC
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S U N R I V E R
S C E N E A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
JANUARY • 2017
VOLUME XLIII • NUMBER 1
SROA member benefits can save an owner thousands
By Susan Berger, Scene Staff SROA NEWS – As a member of the Sunriver Owners Association (SROA), property owners are entitled to an annual Member Preference ID card. The annual fee for this card is only $50, yet each year SROA staff and the board receive calls, emails and letters from owners concerned that $50 is “too much.” Let’s face it, you can’t go to dinner and a movie for 50 bucks anymore. What some owners may not realize is that their $50 annual investment goes a long, long way. Not only does it identify you as a Sunriver property owner, it also provides noteworthy discounts on a variety of SROA amenities and programs. Do the math and you’ll see that even if you only participate in a few of these programs you’ll quickly earn back your $50… and then some. Here’s a rundown of current privileges and discounts that your annual Member Preference card provides: • 20 recreation guest passes per property ($300-$500 seasonal value) • Unlimited access to SHARC aquatics ($15-$25 savings per visit) • Unlimited access to SHARC’s fitness center ($600 annual value, based on an average $50/month gym membership) • Free fitness classes (priceless) • Free fitness assessment (priceless) • Tubing hill access ($10 value per use) • Disc golf access ($5 value per game) • Express admission line at SHARC (priceless) • Access to the owners-only living room and patio at SHARC (priceless) • Morning coffee service in the living room at SHARC (priceless) • Exclusive access to the membersonly North Pool (priceless) • SROA boat launch access (priceless) • Free river shuttle service ($25 value per trip) • Free annual Owner Directory ($2 value) • Access to up to five cords of firewood Turn to Benefits, page 3 SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XLIlI • NUMBER 1 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
SUSAN BERGER PHOTO
SROA Public Works plow operator Torry Berger clears snow at the Sunriver Airport between December snowstorms.
SROA Public Works crews battle snow around the clock By Susan Berger, Scene Staff SROA NEWS – Nothing is prettier than a snow-covered forest. The hustle and bustle of Mother Nature softly muffled under a blanket of white. While pretty to look at, having to deal with snow and ice is an unavoidable inconvenience when living in snow country. Sunriver owners are lucky as the Sunriver Owners Association (SROA) Public Works crews are on call any time of the day or night, including weekends and holidays, to plow Sunriver’s 65 miles of roads and 33+ miles of pathways. “We’re proud to offer what we do for our owners,” said Mark Smith, Public Works director. It’s all hands on deck to man SROA’s fleet of snow removal equipment — which ranges from hand shovels and Bobcat snowblowers to loaders and large trucks specially equipped for snow removal.
As a general rule, crews plow when snow is at least 3 inches deep or there are additional weather-related hazards. It takes eight to 10 people approximately 120 staff hours to do the main roads, emergency service access and pathways during an average snowfall event. Although some areas are often plowed simultaneously, crews follow a priority list of what to tackle first: • fire and police access • main roads • secondary roads • cul-de-sacs • pathways and tunnels “When we reach a certain point we may start ‘triaging’ our priorities,” said Smith. “We may not be able to keep up with clearing the pathways if all of our resources are busy keeping our main roads open.” Splitting into teams, crews work simultaneously to remove snow in the north and south areas of the property.
The main roads receive constant attention during a major snow event. Depending on weather conditions, crews may also apply cinders or de-icer. During an extended snowfall event crews will work around the clock until they are able to address all main areas of concern. “And we’ll get calls from those who thought we haven’t plowed their road yet,” said Perry Thatcher, Public Works crew supervisor. In reality, crews have probably plowed during the overnight hours but a continuous snowfall will quickly undo what’s already been done. Crews are restricted to how long they can operate a piece of heavy equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration limits Class A CDL (Commercial Drivers License) operators to a maximum of 12 hours within a 24-hour period. Even when finished with a plow, the Turn to Snow, page 3 PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213