MONTICELLO — EPR Properties' Adelaar Project Manager Tim Lies visited legislators Thursday to briefly talk about the billion-dollar project, which includes but is not limited to the Montreign Resort Casino.

“We're doing the waterpark,” he explained, in collaboration with the operators of Aquatopia at the Camelback Resort in the Poconos, which he said has been named the #1 waterpark in the country.

While EPR plans to let the resort “season a year or two” after it opens in 2018/19 (a few months to a year after the casino) before contemplating additional amenities and offerings, Lies insisted a primary goal is to encourage visitors to roam beyond the resort.

“What we want to be is a place that's a stepping-off point for the Catskills,” he remarked.

In the meantime, the county and various partner agencies and institutions have been preparing to train employees and employers for the jobs and impacts associated with the Adelaar/Montreign resort (including the expected flight of local workers to the resort, which could be disruptive to local companies' operations).

“We started meeting in March,” said Center for Workforce Development Director Laura Quigley, referring to a group that includes the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, Sullivan County Visitors Association and SUNY Sullivan. “We meet very regularly.”

Courses are well along in development at the college, and officials are headed to Cornell University to study its hospitality education curriculum, since that's geared towards the kind of “five-diamond” hotel planned to be built near Monticello.

“What is being created,” explained Quigley, “will serve Montreign, but it will also serve other hospitality industries in the county.”

Mysteryland aims for more

Sullivan County Public Safety Commissioner Dick Martinkovic told legislators on Thursday that Mysteryland's parent company, SFX Entertainment, will now admit 19- and 20-year-olds to the electronic dance music festival scheduled for this June 10-13 at Bethel Woods.

The two prior festivals, also held at Bethel Woods, catered to those 21 and older, but the company - having declared bankruptcy - is struggling to attract larger crowds, according to a New York Times article last week.

Martinkovic, who learned of the change at a recent planning meeting between Mysteryland officials and local law enforcement, said those younger than 21 will not be able to camp on site but will only have day passes granting them access to the festival grounds.

Solar success

Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Colleen Monaghan informed legislators Thursday that two sold-out solar leasing seminars attracted over 300 people, with another 100 on a waiting list.

“I'm really proud of my staff,” she said. “... In less than two weeks, they pulled it together.”

A company called Cypress Creek Renewables had mailed more than 6,000 lease offers throughout Sullivan County in December and January, eager to site commercial-scale solar farms on various properties.

Other companies are also expressing interest in the region, and Cornell was inundated with calls of inquiry and concern - thus the two seminars, with more coming.

“It was very informative for people in the county,” noted Legislator Joe Perrello. “It was a good day.”

Legislator Terri Ward asked if local municipal officials can get training on how to handle such solar farms, and Monaghan said the county's Planning Division is putting together a fact sheet for town, planning and zoning boards.

A seminar for local public officials is scheduled for March 2 at 6 p.m. at the Government Center in Monticello. For more info, call 807-0527.

‘Drastic measures' at college

In the wake of a layoffs announcement and questions over her continued tenure, SUNY Sullivan President Karin Hilgersom told legislators on Thursday that she has “complete confidence” in the college's staff, despite challenges due to decreased enrollment.

“It's been difficult,” she acknowledged. “We've basically had to reprioritize.”

The position shifts announced last week (see this past Friday's Democrat for details) will result in only two people actually being laid off, she said, but the college requires structural changes in how it's funded in the long-term.

“We have taken drastic measures to go into next year with a balanced budget,” said Hilgersom.

Though she's been a finalist for two other college presidencies in the past few months, Hilgersom indicated she's staying.

“I'm proud of my work and even more proud of the work that's been occurring amongst the students, staff and faculty,” she said.

And she noted that the college is “in pretty serious discussions” with SUNY Delhi to bring its bachelor's program in nursing to Sullivan students as “a very affordable option” for RNs seeking a four-year degree.

‘Patriots Day' coming

Legislators in the Veterans Committee unanimously agreed on Thursday to heed Monticello Rotarian Les Kristt's call for naming the first Sunday in August as “Sullivan County Patriots Day.”

The Day will coincide with the Rotary's Monster Run, which raises funds for local charitable efforts. Kristt chairs the event.

“This year, the focus of the Run will be to raise money for the Sullivan County Veterans Coalition,” he told legislators.

The Coalition advocates for all veterans and particularly aids needy veterans.

“Patriots Day,” said Kristt, would bring more attention to both the Coalition's and Rotary's efforts, and support local veterans at the same time.