Bed-and-breakfast offers yoga, golf, music

Bed-and-breakfast offers yoga, golf, music

Sept 4, 2001

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

The now-closed Lodge of Dolores and its former steakhouse sign — a giant circular saw blade — used to beckon hunters seeking refuge and thick steaks.

The rusty sign is gone, and in a 180-degree cultural spin, new owners Leslie Judice and Ray Simanson Jr. have opened the Cloud Nine Bed and Breakfast, featuring yoga classes, live music and catering that specializes in vegetarian cuisine.

"We wanted to do something different," said Judice. "The idea is to offer a place for families to come and enjoy an evening of good music and food in a nice atmosphere."

The change of use at the grounds prompted a high-impact-permit request from owners, who have held several productive meetings with neighbors to allay concerns. In August, the Montezuma County Planning Commission also heard about the plans for a nine-hole development" golf course and an outdoor amphitheater at the 30-acre site atop Granath Mesa, just north of Dolores on the Norwood Road.

"We want to have a positive effect on the community and a place for me to develop a golfing school and for Leslie to continue with her love of yoga," Simanson said, adding that once he realized there was a planning process for land-use changes, he contacted the planning office. The real-estate agent did not mention the requirements, he said.

Water-usage for the 3-par course, increased traffic and noise and the effects of development on wildlife were discussed, but were not expected to be a problem. All the neighbors were contacted about the meeting, and no objections were heard.

Outreach to neighbors by Judice and Simanson have helped to calm neighborhood worries that well water would be used to irrigate the golfing area, potentially taxing the limited aquifer there.

Simanson said that only the greens, totaling 3.5 acres, would be irrigated. Water for that will be hauled in from the McPhee water dock, not tapped from his commercial well. The fairways will remain natural grasses that do not require watering, he said.

"The water demand has been a misconception, and I understand the concern, but my commercial well will only be used for the bed-and-breakfast," Simanson said. "The fairways will not be irrigated, just the greens."

Judice said the course will be "eco-friendly," without use of pesticides or herbicides, and will continue to allow free rein for deer and elk will continue.

The sudden change has been startling in a predominantly agricultural region, but it has gained more acceptance, Simanson said. "One neighbor approached me about expanding the golf course onto his property, but it is a bit early for that."

To help solve infrastructure problems, Simanson explained that he is working with neighbors to create a water district for Granath Mesa that would provide storage for water pumped up from McPhee Reservoir. Most residents haul their water, and better access to it is a common goal, he said.

"The plan is to go through the process of creating our own district, buy water rights, pump it to the mesa and store it for everyone’s gain," Simanson said.

Regarding the amphitheater, Judice said the focus would be on the mild, rather than the wild.

"We’re not talking (heavy-metal rockers like) Metallica," she said. "We want to bring to Dolores symphony, jazz, theater troupes — acts where you can bring your family, put down a blanket and enjoy entertainment in a natural setting."

Music at the amphitheater would end by sundown, and the owners plan to work with the sheriff’s department on traffic control. Installing a stop sign at the property exit was suggested for safety. And at weekly music events now being held indoors, charging by the carload has worked to encourage carpooling, helping minimize traffic on the Norwood Road.

Cloud Nine has an indoor liquor license; one may be obtained for outdoors, but owners said that they will not advertise the facility as a drinking establishment. Guest-room give-aways are offered during shows, and special rates are offered for those who would rather not drive home.

"They have been very gracious in holding meetings and extending the welcome mat for the community," said Jay Loschert at the meeting. "It’s a nice place to relax and bring the kids."

The Planning Commission recommended that the permit request be scheduled for public hearing before the county commission. The Cloud Nine website is www.2cloud9.com.