Plans abandoned for 2022 Winter Wonderland in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Plans for a Winter Wonderland on the 56-acre area in the middle of South Lake Tahoe have been abandoned after the parties involved couldn't come to an agreement.

After the proposal by Budgell Enterprises was accepted by the South Lake Tahoe City Council over one submitted by Shearer Activities Inc, work started to create winter activities in the area of the Campground By The Lake and other City-maintained lands around the recreation center called the 56-Acres.

Planned were e-snow bikes, a snow slide, a snow tube carousel, snow karts, bumper cars, a snowball shooting gallery, a snow bowling alley, a bungee platform, and other attractions. The bikes and carts were to be placed on a 2.5-mile track.

Vito Phelan, Mark Budgell's partner in the project, said they could not come to an agreement with the City of South Lake Tahoe on a contract.

Phelan said the percentages of monies raised at the venue that the City wanted would cut into Budgell Enterprises' profitability so they couldn't go forward.

Also at issue was the required permitting process with TRPA, Phelan said. They would need power poles and electricity and other infrastructure needs that Phelan said would take months to accomplish. Because of that time, they wanted to get a four-year deal with the City instead of three.

"Unfortunately, the parties could not come to terms on a concession agreement so negotiations have been terminated," said Lauren Thomaselli, the City's director of parks and recreation. "The winter program operation will not be moving forward at this time."

Thomaselli said the City is unsure if they'll pursue a winter concessionaire for the property next year.

Budgell Enterprises was selected over Shearer Activities after Budgell put in a bid protest with the City in October. Shearer had been originally selected but Budgell has concerns over points given to the proposals on the financial projection portion.