Siegfried is having trouble posting to the list so I'm forwarding this to the list for him. patrick Begin forwarded message:
Bruno & I took a drive to Kannaraville, Newcastle, Modena & Parowan today. We met with Dave Ence, Kanarraville city clerk, and he told us where the prepared site is and their preparations and expectations. They have been contacted by NASA and were told to expect upwards of 5,000 people.
For that number they are woefully unprepared. My size estimate of the site is about 10 acres (more or less). We drove the perimeter and it came out to .5 miles. One fourth of that is 1/8th mile or 660 feet. Square that and it comes out mathematically to exactly 10 acres. But remember our size is a rough estimate, sort of like me estimating concrete. (There's a joke in there)
5,000 people would mean 1,500 to 2,000 cars. If you allow 1,000 square feet per car that's space for roughly 435 cars. People with RV's and campers may require extra room.
The people we met in Newcastle didn't have a clue about this event. It is an unincorporated area of Iron County. There were no officials to talk to. The electric station will be closed since it's a Sunday. There will be no facilities open in Newcastle. Yes, it has a better horizon but how much better do you need?
Modena is a virtual ghost town. "No Trespassing" signs on houses and the one business we saw. Not exactly friendly. Also, you are closer to the west mountains. You do not want to go as far as Modena. We were told that at night it can be a scary place.
I think the best bet, if you need facilities is Kanarraville. They will be setting up 31 porta-potties, have water and possibly food vendors. They will also have security and medical help from Iron County.
The problem right now is that Kanarraville will be overwhelmed. They expect a minimum of 5,000 and perhaps as many as 10,000. It doesn't really matter. Anywhere near those number will be a zoo (pronounced "disaster"). In Parowan we also met with the Iron County Clerk and were given a tourist department contact in Cedar City that is working with Dave in Kanarraville. We will be contacting Dave again this week with our impression of the preparations and make some recommendations.
Renting an RV with facilities and going near Newcastle is a real possibility. Does SLAS want to meet as a group or groups? Each to his or her own? What is the group's thinking at this point?
Sig