Summit Public Radio Commences the Power the Towers Project!
Summit Public Radio & TV is thrilled to announce the commencement of construction for the Power the Towers project. This massive effort will replace the aging power line that has served the SPRTV Electronics Site on Bald Mountain for decades.
In June 2018, construction of Phases I and II of the project began with trenching from the nearest available power source along County Road 528 to the Laurium Open Space where SPRTV will install switching and metering cabinets. This provides the platform for the final phase, the completion of the power line to the electronics site at 12,600′ on the shoulder of Bald Mountain.
For 60 years, the volunteers and working board of the not-for-profit SPRTV have maintained antennae and electronics in the harsh environment on top of Bald Mountain near Breckenridge to capture and retransmit FM radio and TV signals. The two-mile long cable that delivers power to the site is nearing end-of-life and has to be replaced.
Because the electrical load-handling capacity of the existing Baldy power line is maxed out, no additional broadcasting or telecommunications services can be added until it is replaced. Given the compromised condition of the existing power line and increasing energy requirements, the new power line and related equipment will provide reliable and dramatically increased electric power to the site.
Bill Tinker of All Electric with Neil Groundwater and Gary Peterson of the SPRTV Board
SPRTV is working with Xcel Energy, All Electric Company, Marcin Engineering, Scott Yule Consulting, Summit Net Trekker, Breckenridge Crane, and Comcast Business to prepare the Laurium Open Space Site and install the equipment. A site plan has been produced in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, Town of Breckenridge, Summit County Open Space and Trails Department, and County staff to coordinate agreements on construction locations, access, and restoration of ground.
$45K Grant Received from Freeport MacMoRan
Funding partners include Freeport MacMoRan which recently awarded Summit Public Radio with a $45,000 grant. Freeport-McMoRan, owner of local Climax Molybdenum operations, funds projects to address priority needs and community sustainability. Funding for Power the Towers has also been granted by The Summit Foundation, Summit County Government, the Towns of Breckenridge, Frisco and Silverthorne, Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV) Gives, the Breckenridge Restaurant Association, Summit County Rotary, Gannett Foundation, several event fundraisers, and many individual contributions. SPRTV is grateful for all the support.
Fundraising efforts are on-going to raise the remaining $200,000 for Phase III. To date, SPRTV has raised over $250,000 for the project.
Help Us Finish the Power the Towers Project
Help get Sparky to the top of the Mountain! You can help SPRTV complete the power line replacement project with your donation. Visit our website at www.SPRTV.org to make a donation via credit card, or send your contribution via check to SPRTV, PO Box 687, Dillon, CO 80435. Thank you for your support!
(6/26/2018)