MichaelBaranows
Contributor
I wanted to pass this on to yall cause I figured that yall might be interesting about a new SCUBA park. It would be located south of Houston near Lake Jackson. The only bad thing is that the soonest it would be ready to dive would be about 2 years.
Sand pit owners want to create scuba park
By Bridie Isensee
The Facts
Published October 15, 2005
CLUTE Mammoth Lake might no longer be a misnomer for the sand pit thats home to Clutes prized archeological finds.
The pits owner, Vernor Material and Equipment, envisions turning the 35-foot pit on Dixie Drive into a scuba park teeming with largemouth bass, Asian clams and channel catfish darting out of submerged machinery. The 50-acre pit is entering its twilight years, with about 18 months of life left, said company president Kenny Vernor.
A scuba park seems like a natural fit for the pit, where workers unearthed remains of Colombian mammoths two years ago, Vernor said. ConocoPhillips, which helped fund the excavation, might put a permanent marker near the entrance so divers would know the pits significance.
That mammoth find obviously adds to the mystique of the lake and adds interest to divers knowing that that was found in there, Vernor said.
His company has a NASA contract to submerge machinery like a jet, airplane wings and airlocks all ideal for attracting fish and underwater exploration. The company also hopes to put in 10 tire reefs, with City Councils permission. The key to success would depend on how clear the water is, Vernor said.
If we can get 30 feet of clarity, this thing will take off like wildfire, Vernor said at Thursdays council meeting.
Vernor tested the waters for his proposal when he approached City Council about the idea. The lands proposed design includes houses and a scuba shop, which would mean zoning changes, said Mayor Jerry Adkins. Mammoth Lake might have to be rezoned as a planned unit development, which allows mixed residential and commercial use, he said.
Its kind of a unique situation. That thing has been there for a long time, Adkins said. Im not sure if other sand pits have been closed and reused. Well just have to take it step by step and make sure that everything is done correctly.
City officials will have to research and ensure the pits closure and transformation into a scuba park meets federal and state environmental guidelines, Adkins said.
Its kind of a new ball game, he said. Were probably going to ask a lot of questions.
Other councilmen were excited the scuba park could make Clute a destination spot in Texas.
It would be something attractive for the city, said Councilman Travis Quinn. It would attract people.
Mike Cryer, owner of Hydrosports Scuba in Lake Jackson, would run the scuba park. He predicted the spot would draw divers from across the state. Scuba parks are the only place divers can become certified.
Scuba divers are always looking for places to go diving, Cryer said.
The earliest the scuba park would open would be two years, Vernor said. It would take about a year to fill the empty pit with water by shutting off the pumps.
As Vernor Materials eyes the pits closure, they are looking for new property for a giant sand box. Vernor asked council to consider approving 52 acres near Stratton Ridge and Levee roads for a sand pit.
In doing so, Vernor resurrected a contentious issue that council nixed in 1987 after nearby residents opposed turning the silty lake bed of Lake Barbara into a sand pit. The area, which belongs to the citys drainage system, would have to be rezoned commercial, Adkins said. Vernor also would have to get a specific use permit to operate a sand pit there, he said.
Resident Evette Fox returned to council to oppose the same issue she did 18 years before. A sand pit would be a hazard to children, stir up dust and disturb the neighborhood with noisy equipment, she said.
I just dont think its probably a good thing to do that close to where there are that many families and children, Fox said.
Vernor plans to meet with residents to gauge their feelings about a sand pit there before making an offer on the property.
Bridie Isensee covers the city of Clute for The Facts. Contact her at (979) 237-0149.
Sand pit owners want to create scuba park
By Bridie Isensee
The Facts
Published October 15, 2005
CLUTE Mammoth Lake might no longer be a misnomer for the sand pit thats home to Clutes prized archeological finds.
The pits owner, Vernor Material and Equipment, envisions turning the 35-foot pit on Dixie Drive into a scuba park teeming with largemouth bass, Asian clams and channel catfish darting out of submerged machinery. The 50-acre pit is entering its twilight years, with about 18 months of life left, said company president Kenny Vernor.
A scuba park seems like a natural fit for the pit, where workers unearthed remains of Colombian mammoths two years ago, Vernor said. ConocoPhillips, which helped fund the excavation, might put a permanent marker near the entrance so divers would know the pits significance.
That mammoth find obviously adds to the mystique of the lake and adds interest to divers knowing that that was found in there, Vernor said.
His company has a NASA contract to submerge machinery like a jet, airplane wings and airlocks all ideal for attracting fish and underwater exploration. The company also hopes to put in 10 tire reefs, with City Councils permission. The key to success would depend on how clear the water is, Vernor said.
If we can get 30 feet of clarity, this thing will take off like wildfire, Vernor said at Thursdays council meeting.
Vernor tested the waters for his proposal when he approached City Council about the idea. The lands proposed design includes houses and a scuba shop, which would mean zoning changes, said Mayor Jerry Adkins. Mammoth Lake might have to be rezoned as a planned unit development, which allows mixed residential and commercial use, he said.
Its kind of a unique situation. That thing has been there for a long time, Adkins said. Im not sure if other sand pits have been closed and reused. Well just have to take it step by step and make sure that everything is done correctly.
City officials will have to research and ensure the pits closure and transformation into a scuba park meets federal and state environmental guidelines, Adkins said.
Its kind of a new ball game, he said. Were probably going to ask a lot of questions.
Other councilmen were excited the scuba park could make Clute a destination spot in Texas.
It would be something attractive for the city, said Councilman Travis Quinn. It would attract people.
Mike Cryer, owner of Hydrosports Scuba in Lake Jackson, would run the scuba park. He predicted the spot would draw divers from across the state. Scuba parks are the only place divers can become certified.
Scuba divers are always looking for places to go diving, Cryer said.
The earliest the scuba park would open would be two years, Vernor said. It would take about a year to fill the empty pit with water by shutting off the pumps.
As Vernor Materials eyes the pits closure, they are looking for new property for a giant sand box. Vernor asked council to consider approving 52 acres near Stratton Ridge and Levee roads for a sand pit.
In doing so, Vernor resurrected a contentious issue that council nixed in 1987 after nearby residents opposed turning the silty lake bed of Lake Barbara into a sand pit. The area, which belongs to the citys drainage system, would have to be rezoned commercial, Adkins said. Vernor also would have to get a specific use permit to operate a sand pit there, he said.
Resident Evette Fox returned to council to oppose the same issue she did 18 years before. A sand pit would be a hazard to children, stir up dust and disturb the neighborhood with noisy equipment, she said.
I just dont think its probably a good thing to do that close to where there are that many families and children, Fox said.
Vernor plans to meet with residents to gauge their feelings about a sand pit there before making an offer on the property.
Bridie Isensee covers the city of Clute for The Facts. Contact her at (979) 237-0149.
