SnowGlobe’s return to S. Tahoe not definite
By Kathryn Reed
Between the producer of SnowGlobe wanting to be paid and the use of the field being a question mark, the New Year’s Eve music festival may not come back to South Lake Tahoe for a third year.
“The taxpayers voted to provide funds to construct a community play field and therefore the first concern is to ensure the taxpayers receive what they paid for. If the field can be protected in such a way as to ensure its playability and also be utilized for this and other events, that could be a win-win,” City Manger Nancy Kerry told Lake Tahoe News. “City staff has been exploring options to achieve both goals and believe the best solution would be to cover the field with rubber field mats, but the costs are significant.”
That is an expense the producer does not want to incur.
While the city could purchase the mats – they cost six figures, the installation and tear down would be passed on to whatever entities were to use them.
SnowGlobe music fest may not threepeat in South Tahoe. Photo/LTN file
Chad Donnelly, producer of the three-day event, did not return phone calls.
Talks are still ongoing, but not as optimistically as they were earlier this year, sources have told Lake Tahoe News.
The event is said to be an economic boon for the region. It brings in people who would not otherwise have been in town and is an older crowd than those milling about Stateline on New Year’s Eve.
The city is also talking with Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and the business community to see if they have the money Donnelly desires and if another location could be secured.
There was talk Donnelly was being wooed by North Shore entities. Andy Chapman with North Lake Tahoe Resort Association did not return a phone call.
As for LTVA, Executive Director Carol Chaplin said, “We’re not trying to keep it, we are trying to understand what the issues on all sides are, the challenges and the opportunities to make sure that if and when it happens, or not, that all of our constituents understand why and agree that it has been thoroughly vetted.”
LTCC’s board has already committed to being a partner with SnowGlobe if it were to return to the ball fields adjacent to the college.
“The college stands ready to support the local community. If SnowGlobe is an event our community finds as viable and a desired event, the college will be a partner in providing a safe and responsible event that benefits the businesses and community of South Tahoe,” LTCC President Kindred Murillo told Lake Tahoe News.
If the city hadn’t purchased the paid parking kiosks, they’d have the money to buy the field mats.
Cover the Ta-Hole with a large deck & hold it there. Attendees can stay near Stateline at motels & hotels, thus, remove the need for transportation in most cases (making it safer). The retail outlets should be in place by then (including some food stands).
Irish, I think your suggestion is worthy of consideration. It would also move the venue into a less residential area.
Chateau La Snowglobe! That’s the best idea yet!
Give Irish a standing ovation — that is the BEST location for SnowGlobe, right in the middle of cheap lodging; this spot may avoid another tragic death.
I hope the city mothers and fathers read this! Brilliant
Im pretty sure that causes way more problems than if we just said take a hike… the hole isn’t even owned by the city..
muir:
I agree with you that this would cause more problems since the City doesn’t own the “hole” property, the property owner may not want to pay the cost of constructing a large deck to cover the hole and assume the associated liability, and there’s no guarantee that any construction at that site will even begin this year unless and until the developer meets all the City’s requirements related to Caltrans, etc. Even if construction does start a project of that magnitude won’t have anything ready for occupancy by businesses for this winter season.
I think Mr. Donnelly is using the threat of relocation to North Shore as leverage to get what he wants and should take his concert to North Shore where his attendees can experience whatever party atmosphere they may have to offer. I was unaware that North Shore was known as a “party” place, and that’s what those concert-goers are looking for. South Shore casinos are probably already considering package deal accommodations with free shuttle service from their facilities to and from the North Shore located concert. Limo services should make a bundle off this.
No Free Lunch…
I’m sure that the magnanimous LPA would allow Free beach camping during Chateau La SnowGlobe for anyone that needs it.
…. that idea has an equal chance of happening on this property before a deal must be made, or not, with the promoter. No way is this feasible.
Bottle Rock just paid the city of Napa $400,000 to throw their festival. Why are the geniuses running this City even entertaining such a thing as paying for SnowGlobe?! Is attracting 17-year-old’s that cram 8 people into a hotel room and pop pills all weekend really the future that this town wants? Sad.
Guys, the Chateau is private property. Incredibly valuable private property at that. The idea that someone would build a park there just out of the goodness of their hearts and pass up MILLIONS of dollars is laughable. Let’s not waste our time on pie-in-the-sky fantasies. Also… pretty sure part of the purpose of the Loop Road is so the town can close off the streets in that area to throw festivals.
Paul:
I agree with your remarks regarding the Chateau property and the Loop Road, but the City is not considering paying the promoter of SnowGlobe and instead has directed that to the business community so they can determine if they’re willing to pay the promoter. Lots of business operators want SnowGlobe to continue in SLT because it benefits their bottom line but as usual they don’t want to come up with any of the money to make that happen and want the City/taxpayers to pony of up the bucks. If local businesses want to reap the monetary benefits of this event they should be willing to defray those promoter costs.
Have it at another time of year when it WILL create more business, at a time when we don’t have anything going on, as opposed to just changing the faces of the always maxed out business between Xmas and New Years, and then just maybe it would be beneficial to work with the promoter. But if they insist on holding it during the busiest week of the year, well then they just have to expect to pay top dollar just like all of our other visitors have to do during that week.
You need not worry about Snow Globe; it’s moving to another location outside of South Tahoe.
Biggerpicture,
While it would be nice to have it on some other weekend when it would infuse business during slower times, you have to realize that outside of the summer months there are two major holidays in the festival/live music world and they are Halloween and New Years. As such I just don’t think moving it to MLK weekend or something like that would allow for the same impact on local businesses that it has during the holiday period. If anything we should be pushing for some music festival on/or around Halloween as that is a pretty slow time here in town.
Dude, Halloween would be ideal!
Halloween would be a great time but I don’t think the College could accommodate that since the concert needs a minimum of one week to set up, conduct the concert, and tear down. I don’t think the College is closed at that time so another venue would need to be identified but Halloween sure would be an ideal time.
This thing is hated by everyone who lives near the field and the city just ignores the complaints,like always.To say this is supported by an older crowd is STUPID !!!All you see is young kids in the area and they do not have MONEY !!!One kids death is enough,remember this was a dry,warm winter,what will happen if there was a major storm during this so called music event and I use the term music loosely !!More kids on drugs would surely be hurt. Let It Go FAR FAR AWAY !!!
This thing is hated by everyone who lives near the field and the city just ignores the complaints,like always.To say this is supported by an older crowd is STUPID !!!All you see is young kids in the area and they do not have MONEY !!!One kids death is enough,remember this was a dry,warm winter,what will happen if there was a major storm during this so called music event and I use the term music loosely !!More kids on drugs would would surely be hurt. Let It Go FAR FAR AWAY !!!
The field sustained SIGNIFICANT wear and tear as a result of snow globe. Id want to ask Nancy Kerry if the city is going to assist in funding the replacement. Put you money where your mouth is SLT City….