Parks director: Mountain Trail Center near temporary occupancy but potable-water testing will delay public opening

Parks Director Michael Brown said the county expects to receive a temporary certificate of occupancy for the Mountain Trail Center on Tuesday afternoon but will not open the building to the public until required potable-water testing is complete and the county can confirm the water is safe to serve.

"There will still be a few things that need to be finished before the building's completely turned over to the county," Brown said, adding that county staff have started the paperwork for water testing but cannot run samples while plumbers are working on-site. "I can't have anybody in there even using the bathrooms and washing their hands until the EPA says we are okay to be serving water to the public."

Brown said interior items remain, including flooring, trim, kitchen counters and sinks, and that the county has not yet received delivery dates for some equipment. He said webcams at the facility are operational and that the parking lot should be available by the expected certificate date, which he will post on the county website and the Nordic blog when confirmed.

The timing matters for scheduled youth activities: Brown noted middle school and high school ski practices that will bring multiple buses to the mountain and said releasing the parking lot will help alleviate congestion. He recommended the county coordinate a walkthrough for board members after punch-list work and staff training days are completed.

Brown also advised posting a sign and updating the website to reduce public inquiries while the lodge remains closed to the public pending water clearance. He said county staff will remain on site for punch-list work and operational training before full use is allowed.

Next steps: Brown said he will post updates online once the certificate and water approvals are finalized and offered to schedule a board walkthrough before the next meeting.