Cable park in HR?

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

I was talking to a fellow kiter yesterday, and he informed me that there has been some talk/discussion on getting a cable park in HR. He said that they were talking about placing it in the dock area that is now engulfed by the sandbar?

Anyone got the "skinny or fat" on this one?

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

hah..... dont we wish!! Laughing

Pepi · Wed Jun 24, 09 9:57 am

Just talk so far.

If the kite community can keep it's reputation clean with the port, then any discussions we have in the Fall will go better.

Nothing so far, but just talk, though.

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

i made contact with the 2 major cable manufacturers 4 years ago. each wants in but $ is the problem. we should organize a deeper study towards making this a reality. it seems like a no brainer that the town should embrace.

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

"The Cable Project" is born..........

Nick · Wed Jun 24, 09 10:59 am

I would love to help out with that project. If you need help gathering comps from other parks please let me know.

That sounds like an awesome project.

forrest · Wed Jun 24, 09 11:13 am

Water rights are the problem for a cable in the Portland Metro area, basically the farmers. Don't know if anyone has looked into one for the Hood River area.

I'm friends with the owners of Texas Ski Ranch who are also the US distributors of Rixen cable systems. I can put someone in touch with them if you're serious about getting organized. The boat basin is just big enough for a 4 pulley cable.

Sella · Wed Jun 24, 09 11:20 am

I wouldn't put too much time into it. Wish I was wrong but most likely not going to happen in da Hood. We researched one for Argentina where the peso vs regulation can get you past hurdles compared to the good ol USA. The "discussions" lasted about 2 days.

1. Expensive to build.
2. Multiple local and state entities to manage. (Big deal breaker)
3. Water flow / level potential issue.
4. Very Seasonal (There is a reason they are in warm climates only)
5. Not enough local population and commute too far for main $$ population.
6. Price. How much would you pay to ride the cable when you can rig a kite and ride swell , sliders and boxes while boosting big air in the river for free??

Portland or Seattle is the best shot...but still seasonal weather and as Forrest stated you have water rights issues.

forrest · Wed Jun 24, 09 11:21 am

There are cables where it's cold in Europe.

Sella · Wed Jun 24, 09 11:23 am

What is the local population count of where they are located in Europe? Very Happy

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jun 24, 09 11:26 am

I do believe that the first step in any business proposal is a market study. This is what would determine if it would actually pencil out.

The market study will quantify things like...What seasons would most people use the cable park, how many people in the metro area, their demographics, average distance people would travel to ride it, cost to install, cost to lease water rights, cost to INSURE, and cost per ride multiplied by probable number of users....

http://cablewakeboard.com/pages/how-to/

Chooch · Wed Jun 24, 09 11:27 am

I agree with ya Ken on the Hood River location. It would be a lot easier convincing investors to build in a highly populated city as opposed to a smaller seasonal town an hour outside the city.

I don't think the cold weather would be an issue, I actually would welcome it cuz it would give me the cabal all to myself Cool

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Best bet from a business perspective would be on the I-5 corridor, probably between So-lame and PDX.

I think a cable could have legs in Oregon but the winter months would be lean and pretty much just the dirt bag season pass holders! Thats even how it is down here at TSR in the off season and obviously its not as chllly.

Maybe a Sesitec in HR instead of a full on cable

Pepi · Wed Jun 24, 09 12:48 pm

Sesitec is likely the only option and what has been discussed.

Anything else would be financial suicide, sorry.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jun 24, 09 12:52 pm

yeah, I think you would need the full on retail shop and food to make it really pencil out. The amount of ground work you would need to do to get it up and running though is simply massive.

I could see you easily spending more on designing, engineering, permitting and insurance than on actual construction. It typically costs around 100k to develop a paper residential subdivision and that doesn't include construction permits. That's just zoning, utilities, traffic, environmental, geo-tec, etc. review. You would have to purchase ag land and then go about applying for a zoning variance. Best to try to pull that off in a really small municipality, one that is hungry for tax dollars.

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

....well heck, lets just build one in my backyard then... Smile

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

the Seistic would be the way to go IMO.

check out this one in the middle of Wisco..not realy cose to any city.. and its a 6+ month winter season here..

http://www.nordicmountain.com/wakepark.html