After nearly a year of negotiations and many delays, members of the Ranch House Coalition announced today that an agreement has been reached to take over the Ranch House Restaurant and golf course.  The not for profit group, Beaver Creek Community Development Corporation, will enter escrow with owners, Beaver Creek Golf Resort LLC, within the next few days.  They intend to finalize the deal by July 1^st, just in time to have a work party before celebrating Independence Day at Sycamore Park. 

 

"There are several Beaver Creek residents and investors that have pledged monies toward the purchase of the property", said Kala Pearson, president of the non-profit group, "and the time has come for everyone to make good on those pledges."  "We've had a lot of interest in the project from state and local officials and government agencies, and will be relying on them to help us obtain long term financing and grants to help develop the recreational facilities and irrigation systems" said Pearson.

Janet Aniol, president of the Lake Montezuma Property Owners Association and a director with the group, said "Our first priority will be to get the weeds cut to avoid fire hazards in the area.  We're putting a call out to the many volunteers to start work on the restaurant and course as soon as we get the keys.  This includes cleaning and repairing the irrigation system that feeds Lake Montezuma which is very important to residents" said Aniol. 

 

In regards to previously heated negotiations, Pearson said "Everyone had to take a step back and let things cool off.  During that cooling off period, a private party had offered to buy just the restaurant which was later withdrawn.  After nearly a month of due diligence, they discovered that the conditions and zoning were not conducive with their plans.  "We've said all along that this project was too cumbersome for any one private individual unless they are purely altruistic with deep pockets", said Pearson.  "It will take the whole village to raise this child and make a go of it.  Beaver Creek is the community to do just that". 

Members of the Coalition can be reached at 592-2839 or 301-9317, and at the Beaver Creek Adult Center at Rollins Square.