Lodge Benefits

BENEFITS OF THE NEW LAPHAM LODGE

1. NEW LARGER, ACCESSIBLE, RESTROOMS WITH LOBBY ACCESS

• Existing restrooms do not meet current ADA standards.
• Number of fixtures are inadequate, especially on weekends, on race days, and for special events.
• A lobby entrance will alleviate disruption of special events in the building and will provide restroom access from the outside when the other parts of the Lodge are closed or reserved.

2. TWO CHANGING ROOMS, COIN OPERATED LOCKERS AND CUBBIES

• Currently there are no changing rooms, forcing people to change in their cars or in the toilet rooms.
• There are no secure lockers to store clothing or valuables in the existing building.

3. GATHERING AREA 3-1/2 TIMES LARGER THAN EXISTING BUILDING WITH SEPARATE MEETING ROOM

• Existing space is inadequate, especially on weekends, on race days, for special events and during team practices.
• Lapham Peak has been experiencing record attendance, which is projected to continue, and which will result in even more stress on already inadequate facilities.
• Existing space is not large enough or flexible to serve multiple concurrent events.
• Existing building is remote from trailhead with no view of trails.
• A separate meeting room for up to 20 persons was requested by multiple user groups.
• Roll down projection screen and audio/video system with dimmable lighting for meetings and presentations should be provided.

4. LARGE FIREPLACE

• Current woodburning stove is very small and only allows a few people to gather around it.
• For safety and convenience, a large gas fireplace is planned.

5. SKI/BIKE RENTAL MOVES TO EXISTING EVERGREEN SHELTER

• Current location (near red barn to the north) has inadequate parking and indoor customer space as well as no restrooms or sinks and is shared by the ski teams for waxing.
• Current trail access across entrance drive to ski trails is hazardous.
• By not accessing the ski trails at the trail head, rental skiers are damaging the groomed trail and blocking the trail.
• Moving rentals to the existing larger Evergreen Shelter will allow rental customers to wait inside the building for their skis.
• The ski teams will now have full access to the existing ski rental building after the rental operation moves to the existing Evergreen Shelter.
• The new Lapham Lodge will be designed to incorporate a future, north addition to accommodate ski/bike rentals.

6. TABLE AND CHAIR STORAGE

• Table and chair storage will allow much more flexibility in the use of the Lodge including presentations, receptions, and other special events.

7. SECURABLE KITCHENETTE WITH COUNTERTOP, SINK, ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND REFRIGERATOR

• A kitchenette will provide much needed, year-round, convenience for Lodge users and for special events.

8. MAIN ENTRANCE AND TRAILSIDE ENTRANCE VESTIBULES

• Heated air lock vestibules will minimize the cold winter winds from entering the building and will increase energy efficiency.
• Entrances to the covered deck on the trail side of the Lodge will provide convenient access between the Gathering Area, the trailhead and the Ice Age Trail.

9. NEW LOCATION ADJACENT TO TRAILHEAD WITH VIEWS OF TRAIL AND LAPHAM PEAK

• Improved access from parking lot to Lodge will allow users to walk along drive lanes rather than between cars and over snow banks to access the Lodge.
• Operable windows facing the trailhead will allow view of races and other activities from inside the building and improve the Lodge as a meeting place.
• Race timing equipment can be expanded and securely stored in the new building.
• Change of Lapham Lodge location will facilitate the future expansion of the existing parking lot which will be needed to accommodate the growing number of Lapham Peak users.

10. COVERED DECK ACCESSIBLE FROM BUILDING WITH VIEWS OF TRAIL

• The effective capacity of the building is expanded further by providing year round covered outdoor seating with views of the trailhead and Lapham Peak.

11. NEW ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ROOM

• The new building will allow expensive existing electrical equipment that serves the existing trail lighting system to be relocated from outside cabinets to inside the building, thus extending the life of the equipment.
• A new mechanical room will support new energy efficient heating, cooling and plumbing systems.

12. SUSTAINABLE AND ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS

• Ground source heat pump, solar panels and passive solar design will be explored to provide energy efficient and sustainable "green" heating, cooling and power.