The Loma Prietan
April 2003
Your Input Needed on Big Changes at Clair Tappaan
If negotiations proceed as hoped, the 2003-04 ski season at Clair Tappaan Lodge will be managed by American Youth Hostels--the biggest change in management in lodge history--and the Lodge Committee wants to hear from lodge users on several points.
For years, the lodge hasn't operated as well as Sierra Club executives and national leaders have wanted it to. In addition to losing money for the Club, there has been a persistent fear that an accident at the lodge could bring on a lawsuit that would suck out every dollar of Sierra Club assets.
Two years ago, former president Chuck McGrady convened a task force to consider solutions. With lodge committee members present, the task force determined that club managers, not being professionals in property management, aren't able to push the lodge to its maximum performance. After mulling a handful of ideas, the task force opted to hire a management firm.
Finding a firm was not as easy. Clair Tappaan Lodge is an unique institution. While there are many property management firms, only a handful had the background and interest to manage it. Fortunately, the Golden Gate Council of American Youth Hostels (AYH) was interested. Negotiations are now under way to have AYH take over the lodge's operations.
Clair Tappaan Lodge looks and operates like a youth hostel in most ways--but there are two points in which it does not, and American Youth Hostels would like those to change. It is on these points that we need Club members' input:
1) Personal cooking facilities. By custom, youth hostels provide at least minimal cooking facilities for guests to make their own meals. At Clair Tappaan, the staff prepares all cooked food. The youth hostel association has suggested that the lodge offer an alternative with a refrigerator, one or two microwaves, possibly a hot plate, seating for 5 to 10 people and a sink. This could be accommodated with slight alterations in the Puce Room (the basement lounge, just outside the hot tub).
2) Alcohol. By policy and custom, AYH hostels prohibit consumption of alcohol. The association would like CTL to conform. Reasons include the association's mission and insurance premiums. Their board of directors may not be willing to approve an exemption. Are we willing to make CTL alcohol free? This is a yes-or-no question, as the AYH practice is to prohibit alcohol and actually confiscate it. AYH indicates that while they could try to get an exemption, they would prefer not to and it would likely be very costly to us. If Sierra Club members wish to pursue the exemption, we can pursue this. However, it may break the deal with AYH.
The stakes are high. If negotiations with the youth hostel association collapse, Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope has said he might move to sell the lodge. For more background, visit Goshawk Online on the Clair Tappaan Lodge site, at .
Please join us at our public meeting on
Saturday, April 12 at 10 a.m. at Sierra Club headquarters, 85 Second Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco. You'll be able to learn more about the changes at CTL. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Mary Bernstein at or 650/328-5005.
Also, please mail or email your opinion on the
above two points to Lodge Committee member Mary Bernstein at 1212 Byron
Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301.