Email this article
Printable version
Adventure center up for approval
Paintball-zip line developer sees opportunity, neighbor a 'tourist trap'
Herald Staff Writer
The Full Blast Adventure Center is a proposed paintball and zip-line course on 33 acres along U.S. Highway 160 - across from the Economy Nissan car dealership. The Durango City Council will consider approving the project at its regular meeting Tuesday.
The builder, Cameron Winters, said he plans to begin construction on the paintball course and zip lines the next day in hopes of opening July 4.
A zip line is a cable strung on an incline that allows someone to slide down while holding on to a handle attached to a pulley.
"It's going to be a fast opening," Winters said. "We're getting tons of interest from mostly tourists on the zip line and mostly the locals on the paintball."
But Art and Pat Berg, the closest residential neighbors, are opposed to the project, saying it will disrupt the view corridor, be noisy and give tourists the wrong impression as they enter city limits.
"My husband and I don't want to live next to that kind of noise and activity," Pat Berg said during a phone interview Thursday. "It's not that we're fundamentally opposed to paintball and zip lines; it just seems like a really bad fit for the neighborhood."
Pat Berg said tourists' impressions of Durango start when they drive through the outskirts of town, and "this seems like a tourist trap of a project." People clad in paintball fatigues will be hanging around in the parking lot, and the project doesn't fit with the western view corridor.
Planning Commissioner Joe Lewandowski said Wednesday that the adventure center seems like a good outdoor recreation project that will be attractive to tourists and locals alike. But he was concerned the proposed color scheme - bright blue for the adventure center - doesn't match neighboring businesses, which use earth tones.
"It smacked of amusement park," he said of the colors.
He also wants the builder to install a bathroom at the top of the zip lines, where customers will have to hike from the highway. If parents take a 10-year-old to the top, there's a good chance the child will need a bathroom, Lewandowski said.
"People are going to have to take a pee when they get up there," he said.
Winters said he agreed to change the color scheme to maroon and cream-white, but he has no plans to install bathrooms at the top of the zip lines.
"It's not going to happen," he said.
Bathrooms will be located inside the Adventure Center, and it takes only seven minutes to walk from the top of the zip lines to the bottom, he said.
He compared it to other recreational activities: River rafters don't see a bathroom every quarter mile going down the river, and skiers don't see a bathroom every 100 yards going down the slope.
Winters said he's tried to accommodate the Bergs by relocating the paintball course so they can't see it. But there's little that can be done about the joyful screams customers make as they whisk down the zip lines, he said, noting that the Bergs live next to a noisy highway.
Winters said he's enhancing the property, and it will make a good impression on tourists entering the city.
"We're bringing one of the greenest and less-impact things," Berg said. "The whole town is for it. Everywhere I go, it's like, 'When's it going to open, when's it going to open?'"
Comments for this article have timed out
advertisement
MLS#641500 ~ Price $439,900 ~ 5.67Acres ~ 5 Bedroom ~
2 3/4 Bathroom ~ Approx 3564 SF
Looking for a large home with fabulous views? Look no further. This 5 bedroom, 3 bath home is 3500 + square feet on 5.7 acres, 10 minutes to the hospital and a few steps away from BLM land. Great for entertaining inside and out as the home has granite counter tops, stainless appliances, whole house water filtering system, and a great deck and hot tub area out back.
Durango Herald Calendar of Events
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 9:55:57 PM
Suggest removal
Dro says...
Wasn't Camron Winters a failed roofer??
I heard he never went back to fix failed roofing projects. Could Mr. Winters comment???
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 7:14:15 PM
Suggest removal
opinionated 4 a reason says...
I finally came into some extra money and wanted to do something fun with my teenager and 11 year old and looked into the zip line. Wow, my first thought was i want to ride it not own it. I could never take my two children and me for that price. I can make our lunch and drive us there. I am a single mother and sometimes feel like this isnt just the place to be because unless you can drop a mortgage payment for a day of fun, you can ride the zip line....thanks for the opportunity.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 6:22:48 PM
Suggest removal
Smitty says...
Carrie & others
I'm for it too. But it is simple common sense that the more attractions the pricer it will get. Bear that in mind if Carrie gets what's she is asking for. But I hope not.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 6:05:00 PM
Suggest removal
farmer jonez says...
My two words is "why not?". It would be nice to have a place to take your kids to have some fun as a family. I only hope it would be priced right for everyone not just tourists but locals alike, add a decent go cart track, and mini golf. If Durango is going to play "small-city with small-town charm", it needs to get amenities. A couple years ago I was in Grand Junction with my son for a youth hockey tournament. We went to Bananas and had a blast! Durango needs the same kind of attractions to keep locals local and visitors coming back.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 4:59:27 PM
Suggest removal
Carrie says...
I drive to work and home via 160 everyday. I don't see much of a neighborhood around Economy Nissan. I think adding a zip line and paintball course near Durango is fantastic. Why, kids could actually ride their bikes there to participate ---- if the pricing is right! Oh, I just hope that Mr. Winters is putting 'safety' first in his development plan. Finally, I wish he could add a couple of fast roller coasters to the project, and some water park type rides. Perhaps that will come later!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 3:02:44 PM
Suggest removal
jon says...
Im so glad the kids of Durango wont have to do drugs anymore, now they will have a place to shoot at eachother instead. After that we can go to walmart and all buy new plastic guns. paintball is so fun for the whole family, if there retarded.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 2:36:23 PM
Suggest removal
DJ says...
Put my vote down for it. Something for the kids to do? Something for the tourists to do? Sounds pretty good to me. Cowgirl, I'm sorry but tourists get bored looking at the mountains for more then 10 minutes. And ya, ya, the whole rafting, skiing, jeep tour thing is there but sooo played out. Give them something active to do that will keep money in the local economy. I've played a few times and thought it was fun, same for the kids. Maybe we'll have to get more serious about it.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 2:25:45 PM
Suggest removal
Jimmy says...
I'm all for any new business that brings money and jobs to the area, plus it gives us all some new acvtities to participate in. The only negative is Cameron Winters can be a wishy-washy Builder/Developer. Just beware of rushing this business into operation
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 1:27:17 PM
Suggest removal
Amanda says...
I think this is great! Although I will lose my husband to yet another hobby (paintball)it gives the community another thing to enjoy in town!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 1:07:37 PM
Suggest removal
clammy says...
bring on the paintball!!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 1:03:45 PM
Suggest removal
Rick says...
@Carley; Do you have any idea what it costs to take the train and do the zipline up there? $429!!! As for it being "in Durango", not even close. This IS something new for Durango because you seem to be forgetting the paintball. It is absurd to think you can tell someone that they need an original idea in order to open in Durango. If that were the case, we should shut down half the restaurants here because they are not original.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 12:57:39 PM
Suggest removal
LadyJ says...
It is a great idea it is not just for tourist's, its for every one so long as it does'nt price out the local folks.Carley you obviously have not looked at the price of the zip line that is connected with the train!!! I thought it would be so much fun then i saw the price WOW it would cost my husband and i almost $1ooo.oo for the day, and lunch up in the trees, yeah thats right i said $1ooo.oo just look at the web site.The place is way not directed at the local people who live here . Its takes a month just for me to make that much money, as im sure with most others who live here also. We are more than just western culture or tourist's here , and we need new ideas and jobs to continue to suvive around here and ones that we can all aford to enjoy . not every body can swim not everyone owns a horse or a boat or a 4wheeleer. I hope it all works out and we can all enjoy this most awsome idea of clean family fun ,I mean is'nt that what we all keep saying is important around here anyway .
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 12:32:49 PM
Suggest removal
bring back the old malt shop says...
I like the idea of giving the local youth more activities like this. Like back in the day when they had the go-karts at the old Shell on the corner of Main and Camino Real or the slot cars near the old A&W on north main. The only problem was that these activities weren't really affordable for a number of the local youth's back in the day. Will today's youth have anymore chance of being able to participate in this adventure center or will it be too pricey?
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 12:06:03 PM
Suggest removal
ABC Girl says...
I totally agree Durangatang I grew up here as well and back then the only thing to do was go bowling at the mall. Now even that is gone and what are we left with, skiing and snowboarding? Those are winter sports and not everyone around here can afford to drive clear up north and then pay for the high dollar passes. This is going to be awesome for out area and I hope it will encourage more places like this to open up.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 12:04:04 PM
Suggest removal
Just A Guy says...
As an old timer, there's not much to do in Durango activity wise. Personally this is not for me but our youth need to do something. Play is the most complex part of the mind we all need it. Anything to keep bicycles off the road I'm for. As the beach boys said....Fun Fun Fun.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 11:52:07 AM
Suggest removal
A Real Durangatang says...
Those of you who would oppose something like this, have no idea what it is to grow up in this town with little to nothing to do until you're old enough to move away or be a part of Durango's "night life". A venture like this is not only ingenious, but needed. Since the schools have let out for the summer, there are many kids in need of employment, healthy activities, or both.
If you need an explanation on why this would be a great hit, here it is. Adrenaline. Ziplines push it. Paintball throttles it way up. Adrenaline is something sought out by more people than many realize, and this is a fun and safe way to get it. I fully agree that bunjie jumping should be integrated into the project eventually as well.
This project makes sense for tourists and locals alike. It would be a place for social interaction and economic growth of this wonderful community we live in.
And for those like the Bergs. Stay home and close your blinds like you always have and don't ruin something good for the rest of us. It's about all of us, not just about you.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 11:42:56 AM
Suggest removal
REALLY says...
I think it's a fantastic idea! The teenagers in this town get bored with the same 'ol stuff, this would be a great way to keep them busy and have fun. And I agree, the Berg's live on a HIGHWAY, quiet isn't exactly an option! There's a car dealership across the road so what view is going to be effected? Why does there always have to be someone that doesn't want to move into the future?!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 11:35:33 AM
Suggest removal
Carley says...
Umm....Durango already has a zip-line course that you do in conjunction with the train. I'd rather see new diverse businesses come to town than people trying to copy what we already have.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 11:28:10 AM
Suggest removal
ABC Girl says...
Most of you people posting here are older adults, as am I, but try to think of the benefit this will have for our youth. Its something for them to do instead of getting into trouble or doing drugs. It may not be what you do for fun but consider the youth of this area before you turn down this Adventure Center.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 11:03:30 AM
Suggest removal
THE DAWG says...
The bergs sould think about this. The joyful laughs and screams of poeple having fun might drown out the noise of the engine brakes on the highway. And driving on the highway you don't see much scenery any way.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 10:58:52 AM
Suggest removal
cowgirl says...
andi ... I also live here, thankfully far enough out of town not to have to deal with this. I guess my idea of fun is different than those posting comments here. I don't understand the fascination with this whole paintball thing.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 10:56:30 AM
Suggest removal
Pagosa James says...
Anything that will produce jobs and revenue for the town is a great thing.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 10:41:15 AM
Suggest removal
andidurango says...
Cowgirl- I have lived i Colorado for my entire life what brings people to Co is the mountains- but its not the mountains and the serenity that supports people who live here- it's the economy. And sad to say in Durango tourism is a big part. I could care less how this will effect tourism but it will be nice to have some kind of alternative instead of driving 45 minutes to Ignacio to go bowling. There will always be someone who thinks that their "right" to say what goes with the property surrounding them should supersede what the person who actually bought it wants. It is a little hasty but the summer is the best business season why shouldn't he hurry?
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 10:37:07 AM
Suggest removal
Ryan says...
Wow, so EXTREME! (sarcasm)
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 10:12:06 AM
Suggest removal
Ma says...
I hope that the prices are too steep :-)
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 9:29:43 AM
Suggest removal
ABC Girl says...
Can't wait to see the paintball field open! I know that myself and tons of other locals are looking forward to it eagerly!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 9:25:26 AM
Suggest removal
Please says...
I hope it all goes through! Good luck. Don't let the negative, close minded individuals stop you from succeeding! To all "those" folks...... seriously? will it impact your life so bad that you have to be downers?
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 9:18:46 AM
Suggest removal
Joe says...
Commercial area, commercial endeavor, one couple opposed...sounds like a slam dunk.
The developer should hook the Bergs up with season passes.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 9:10:53 AM
Suggest removal
Johnny says...
Jon, you are an elitist. Riding bikes, rowing boats, etc. all come with their fair share of costs. Oh, and a lot of the time you have to drive and park your car somewhere. Unless you can magically row your boat back up the Animas.
Get over yourself.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 9:04:21 AM
Suggest removal
Rick says...
Neighborhood? What neighborhood? It is a industrial corridor with apartments and trailer parks stuck in. I am all for it! Jobs, fun and I hope they bring back the concept of having some geocaching!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:40:46 AM
Suggest removal
rjw says...
Is the park going to be fenced?? If so what happened to open spaces?? How will the developer insure the coustomers stay off the adjoining private property??
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:32:58 AM
Suggest removal
bob says...
view corridor and noise- on highway 160 west? Get real, its already noisey and a comercial area.
Good Luck, Cameron
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:15:39 AM
Suggest removal
jon says...
More activities for the masses. Ride a bike, row a boat, go fishing or skateboarding. These fabricated park your car and spend money activities are so lame and are for losers. Seems like a concept that would do well in Farmington. This would be a good one for South Park. Yea, I am an elitist.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:09:08 AM
Suggest removal
Bill says...
Is there going to be bunji junmping too !! right on
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:06:39 AM
Suggest removal
anonymous says...
Who ever said it doesnt mesh with surrouding with tourist attractions is right. BUT THAT IS A GREAT THING! We need something different to do in this town, for goodness sakes if you don't wanna look at artsy stuff and you can only hike so much, it will be a joy to have another option for something to do! Keep on keepin on with this project it will be supported!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:02:14 AM
Suggest removal
Steve says...
I won't be visiting this business, should it actually get approved, but I know tourists will. As for the neighbors' complaints... uh, seriously? It's US HIGHWAY 160 with a downhill grade and trucks gearing down for the stoplight. It's noisy as hell... and stinky. How could this kiddie playground make it any worse?
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 8:00:11 AM
Suggest removal
Casey says...
I think the bathrooms will be more like port-a-potties unless new plumbing will be installed in the short time after approval and I think most tourism in the summer is gonna be seasonal just like rafting and not a year round business. Of course I would expect it to hopefully open each year and maybe expand with other vendors, snack bar, etc...
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 7:54:29 AM
Suggest removal
deja vu' says...
This is the best news I'ved heard all week. Awesome!!! You go - and get started. The nay-sayers will see in the end.....what a great thing this will be for Durango. woohoo!!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 7:53:58 AM
Suggest removal
TC says...
Yay! We're local and our four children (and us) would love to have this kind of activity available. Another outdoor healthy option for our area youth is a great idea and the location is so convenient and close to downtown we can even ride our bikes to get there! Come on City Council, say yes to this one!
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 7:47:09 AM
Suggest removal
Peace, Quiet and Dignity says...
If this person is planning to get a permit - and open a business - by the 4th of July, he should be turned back by the planning commission and the concerned citizens of Durango. Without a well-thought out, long term plan that includes all the contingencies required (such as bathrooms), the unintended consequences of hasty action will rule the day. This town needs sustainable, year-round businesses, not those hyped by people who want to rake in immediate cash, as this operator (who is in such a tearing hurry) seemingly wants to do.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 7:29:19 AM
Suggest removal
Mike says...
As long as this is constructed in a professional manner, and the owner is insured, go for it. Some of us locals, especially those with children, might enjoy this. I have to agree with the comments about the viewing corridor and noise. Unfortunatley for the Berg's, they do already live along a highway near a car dealership. I don't believe this park will increase their noise all that much. As far as the City's concern about bathrooms, I had to laugh. Winters makes a valid point about restrooms for rafters. I noticed no one has commented about the noise and smoke producing train that attracts tourists. By the way, I'm behind the train as well.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 7:08:56 AM
Suggest removal
Robertf says...
Uh Bergs what view corridor would you be speaking of? You currently live off the busiest highway in town that is filled with commercial businesses. You say you don't want to live next to that kind of noise and activity. Isn't the traffic noise from the highway rather loud? I can't imagine this would increase the noise level signifigantly. By the way Durango is a tourist trap just go downtown for dinner sometime and pay for an overpriced meal, get poor service with bad food thrown in. What view corridor are you speaking of? Would the paintball facility ruin your view of that 18 wheeler passing by your house? Oh by the way people standing around in camo fatigues is part of the western culture. Have you been around here during hunting season? Maybe you should move back to CA or TX.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 6:57:26 AM
Suggest removal
Samael says...
Sounds like fun to me, and a lot less disruptive to the visual environment all the tourists love than the Walmart heh. Besides, if you don't like zip lines, you don't have a pulse haha!
It would also be a controlled location for us to play paintball at, instead of wandering in the National Forest or trespassing where we know owners never bother going...
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 6:55:12 AM
Suggest removal
Casey says...
...and where's the go cart track?
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 6:40:48 AM
Suggest removal
cowgirl says...
Dreaming, correct me if I'm wrong. What attracts tourists (or did) to our area is the mountains, wide open spaces, serenity, rafting, hiking ... We don't need or want an adventure park no matter where it's located. This isn't California.
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 6:33:49 AM
Suggest removal
MH says...
Finally, something fun added to the Durango scene, and in a perfect location! Bergs, if you want clean country livin, move! You live right smack dab in the middle of a commercial district, next to a highway...what do you expect?
Friday, June 11, 2010
at 3:46:32 AM
Suggest removal
dreaming of snow says...
Correct me if Im wrong, but isnt this towns economy largely based off tourism? So in a since, the town of Durango and its surrounding areas could be likened to the phrasetourist trap? As for the Bergs, your arguments are weak at best. If you wanted to protect your view corridor and quiet residential feel, you should have purchased the land yourself. This is the inherit risk that all property owners face when boarding undeveloped private land. Plus this said neighborhood is right off a highway surrounded by commercial property. I see this adventure park as being a better alternative to developing this property as something that could be more destructive. In these ruff economic times, its refreshing to see this kind of entrepreneurial spirit, bringing forth what appears to be a sound business plan which will provide jobs and revenue within the community.