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The BOD members who made the motion or vocally supported the motion to end the relationship with the XCR have not been clear about their intentions or seem to be aware of the very real risks. More importantly, the current CSS leadership has absolutely no plan whatsoever for getting these benefits by other methods. The “idea” being thrown around is to replace the LZ grass with artificial turf, but the quotes being offered are for a cost of over $1,000,000!! Even “used” artificial turf, installed by club member labor, would cost in the several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Aside from the cost, the idea of having turf cover the LZ is terrible if anyone stops to think about safety aspects of landing on turf and how that turf is going to feel in 100 degree heat. We have studies in hand from Penn State that show artificial turf temps reach 50 degrees higher than ambient temp, so I would fully expect the LZ to be at least 150 degrees in the summer. Does that sound safe to anyone?
Also, reports from at least one CSS member to SB County Code Enforcement is the reason there will no longer be horses on the XCR land or their caretaker Gene, who provides an important service driving PG pilots to/from various launches and has done the Lion’s share of Heavy Equipment Operator work along with Tim Ward to develop the site. Is this how we thank him for his sweat and heart, by making him homeless? Forcing the horses off the XCR property also incurs additional expense on the Ranch owners; is this how we thank them for their efforts to protect the club from the encroachment of developers?
Now back the recent BOD meeting and the pressing issues that we face. It has become clear that it’s just a handful of members who wish to end the relationship CSS has with the Cross Country Ranch (XCR). The resounding majority of the pilots who were present at the meeting were appropriately appalled when they were made aware of Saturday’s agenda item/proposal to “end the relationship with the XCR.” These Pilot/Members made their statements and offered suggestions that you see recorded in Jana’s documentary video.
According to the current CSS Board, there have been complaints about the state of the grass in the LZ and pilots have been questioning why we are paying the XCR when the grass is dying. What everyone needs to understand is that first, water is provided by the XCR as a courtesy to the club based on the relationship the owners of the XCR have with CSS. But, more importantly, ending the arrangement with the XCR, including the payment of $1,800/month would mean the loss of several other benefits that are critical to the LZ and to the club.
Site Preservation – in the hands of owners that are not friendly to hang gliding and paragliding, we would loose our ability to do landing approaches over the XCR land. “Airspace” is open to us generally, but the area immediately above private land is NOT free and available to us. Without the XCR land, our approach options are extremely limited. Bottom line is that our LZ would shrink significantly and all of the PG approaches would have to be only over the LZ itself, or to the east using the HG approach.
Storage for CSS assets – club equipment like Gracie, Sandy Vans and Gene’s Rangers, etc. are all stored on XCR property and without the agreement, they would have to live in the parking lot, taking up parking space and exposed to vandalism and/or theft.
Access to recreational areas – The Pond, the Hike & Fly road to the 750 launch
Electricity & WiFi for the LZ
Potable water for the LZ kitchen
Use of the XCR shower for pilots camping in the LZ -
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