New family-friendly winter business to operate at South Lake Tahoe campground

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After responding to a request by the City of South Lake Tahoe for proposals for a Winter Wonderland in the middle of the city, Budgell Enterprises, LLC will be providing a new and unique experience for locals and visitors.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Mark Budgell explained why he filed a bid protest after a panel of five City staff members scored the other applicant, Shearer Activities Inc, higher on their proposal.

The item was originally to be heard during the last council meeting, but the bid protest was made and a decision was moved to October 19's meeting.

At question were the scores given to Shearer and Budgell, something Budgell said was biased as his proposal provided financial projection as requested, and Shearer's did not. The original scoring had Shearer ahead of the other company by 2.4 points out of 100. An adjustment due to scoring put Budgell ahead and the contract was awarded to his company.

The Council had three choices: to reject the bid protest, grant the bid protest, or reject all bids and start over.

Budgell said going back to the drawing board would be unfair as other possible competitors would then know the innovative feature he is bringing to the new venture from a Canadian startup - an E-snow bike which is a retrofitted mountain bike with a track on the back, a ski on front.

Besides the snow bike, the Budgell Enterprise plan will create a winter wonderland with a focus on families in the area of the Campground by the Lake, also know a the 56-acre project. Plans include a snow slide, a snow tube carousal, snow karts, bumper cars, snowball shooting gallery, snow bowling alley, a bungee platform and other attractions. The bikes and carts will be placed on a 2.5 mile track.

"We are looking at a winter faire atmosphere," said Vito Phelan, Budgell's partner in the project. "We'll charge an admission and they go enjoy the concessions, then pay extra for the snow bike rentals."

He said they will create a family environment, one where everyone can enjoy the snow without having to spend a lot of money.

Both of the companies have experience in providing winter experiences on the South Shore. Shearer operates the tubing and snowmobile business adjacent to MontBleu, and Budgell with his partners operate Tube Tahoe at the Tahoe Paradise Golf Course.

Phelan said the new operation will be low impact on the environment and noise from the e-snowbikes will be less than what is heard on the nearby Lake Tahoe Blvd.

"We're stoked, we're local and we're excited," said Phelan. "It will be a unique experience for years to come."

He said they will start work right away on permits from TRPA and the City, then work on getting snow made to make up for anything Mother Nature doesn't provide.