Regional Administration Learning and Retreat Center
Project Detail: A regional administrative learning and retreat center at Ponderosa State Park will offer an ideal atmosphere and year-round comfort for 75-100 overnight guests in individual rooms, small conference rooms, cabins and RV sites. Combined with the renovated facilities at the former privately owned Nazarene Church group camp at Kokanee Cove, the center will provide the perfect setting for business, social, and family functions on a small scale. The new facility will create a larger administrative work space, allowing park staff to adequately service a growing number of visitors annually and will have an
area dedicated to interpretive and educational materials.The current administrative facility, insufficient as the parks primary visitor service site, will be converted into a much needed Nordic center, selling use permits and offering equipment rentals for customers of the park’s increasingly popular Premium Nordic Ski Program.
What will exist on-site?
The main administrative learning and retreat structure will be designed to complement the natural features of the site, and provide overnight accommodations in 30 guest rooms, accompanied by a cluster of rustic cabins, varying in size. The entire conceptual development would rest on a 4.5-acre allotment of the Lakeview property. Hard paths would be constructed to create waterfront access and connect to other use areas in the park.
Benefits of the project: As demonstrated in over half of the nations state park systems, and most national parks, retreat-style facilities offering lodging and accommodations are assets to park settings and prove to be very popular, and successful. Availability of retreat facilities and individual rooms within Idaho’s State Parks is a gradual move towards system and service diversification, creating ways to accommodate diverse customer needs and economic abilities, while contributing to the goal to provide year-round individual and group access to Ponderosa State Park. As outlined in the GDP, development of the Lakeview property assists with the migration of concentrated resource use currently in the northern, more sensitive area of the peninsula, to the southern, less-sensitive section of the park, while providing new and expanded lake views and access that were once obstructed by private dwellings. Physical developments, like the learning and retreat center, will help minimize impacts to natural resources while maximizing public access and educational opportunities.
How will you benefit? A retreat center at Ponderosa provides a way for even those without camping equipment to experience all that Ponderosa State Park has to offer. The comfortable, yet rustic facility will be the perfect venue for individual stays or group gatherings. Visitors will be able to marvel at the views from their lakeside room or enjoy a beverage or meal on the patio. The retreat center at Ponderosa State Park will be suitable for business or pleasure, offering alternatives for personal weekend getaways or unique corporate retreats. In a time of changing technological dependency, wireless Internet access will be made available on-site to accommodate the business and personal needs of visitors.
Funding: Permanent Building Fund Request - FY 2006