BIG

SKY
INFRASTRUCTURE
 INFRASTRUCTURE
• ROADS
• Entrances
• Maintenance of drains, culverts, cunetas, roadsides
• Repairs during rainy season
• Repairs during construction

• WATER
• Wells
• Holding tanks
• Piping from wells to lots
• Power to push water from well to holding tanks, gravity feed from tank to lots
WHAT WE WERE PROMISED
WHAT WAS
DELIVERED
BIG SKY ROADS
 WHAT WE INHERITED
• Inadequate drainage, roads washed out with rains

• Impassable to upper lots, including some homes

• Entrance changed to go through river at lower gate

• Upper gate entrance not maintained/improved

• Two 4WD transmissions and an hysterical slide into Kallie’s pool!

 WHAT WAS DONE WITH PROCEEDS
FROM 1 LOT SALE:
• Changed road design to reduce overly steep grades

• Installed “cunetas” for proper drainage from high to low areas

• Installed drainage culverts underneath roads where needed

• Improved upper gate road to be drive-able when river is in spate

• Planted vetiver to establish root system on sloping roadsides

Culverts & Cunetas
ONGOING COST MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY COOPERATION:
”The Vetiver Ladies”
ONGOING COST MANAGEMENT
DOUBLE DUTY EMPLOYEES:

• Roadsides cleaned for erosion and fire prevention

• Fire breaks chopped

• Fences checked

• Pools cleaned, resulting in income to the HOA

ONGOING COST MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY
COOPERATION:
FENCE CUTTING &
FIRE ASSISTANCE
ONGOING COST MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY COOPERATION:
Planting rice and beans in
exchange for cleaning land
 WHAT’S STILL LEFT TO BE DONE?
Developer is still pending the following:

• Highest lots segment road design needs to change

• Plan in place for road completion to these lots upon sale

• Contractual commitment to ensure buyer gets what they’re promised

• HOA currently maintains only those areas that are finished, and that make sense to

maintain.
BIG SKY WATER
 WHAT WE INHERITED
• Two failed wells
• Trevor’s father’s water system design (did not work)
• Stolen pump at well
• Illegal hookup to village water
• Stolen power from House #23
• Cheap pipes and improper fittings that burst regularly
• No “AS-BUILT” plans for water system
• Broken upper holding tank “It fell off the truck…”
 WHAT WAS DONE SINCE:
• Established where system pipes were located
• Drilled two successful wells
• Well #1: Recovery slow, using as backup
• Well #2: 60m deep, good recovery, using as primary source
• Stopped stealing power from #23
• Installed grid power from Escamequita to Well #1
• Replaced a myriad of burst pipes and fittings with better quality
• Repaired upper holding tank (the one that ‘fell off the truck’)
• Built pump house that can be secured to prevent theft
• Installed meters and are currently billing consumers
 ALONG THE WAY…
• ‘Appropriated’ Blue’s water pump

• Borrowed a generator from Blue’s neighbors

• Borrowed a generator from Wesley Tiffer

• Are currently using Jarred & Shayna’s graciously loaned generator

• Cut the stables loose from our wells

• Used up a set of brakes and put 3 dents on Blue’s truck

 ALONG THE WAY…
Begged leftover
materials from job
sites to build this
well house,
trucked in water,
and donated to a
church in order to
get this door.
 ALONG THE WAY…
• Took advantage of Jarred Maclachlan’s sage advice and ability to
design a system that WORKS ON THE GROUND.
• The Board greatly appreciates Jarred’s assistance!

• Took advantage of Wesley Tiffer’s ability to get materials discounts

• Punctured at least 17 tires
• Worked day and night
• Peed in the bushes far too many times!
 WHAT’S STILL LEFT TO BE DONE?
• Replace upper storage tank (preferably with one not fallen off a truck)

• Second upper storage tank as more homes are built

• Long term solution for pumping water from well to upper tanks

• Piping to upper lots (contractual obligation in future sales agreements)

• Replace Jarred & Shayna’s generator

• Meter at source to detect loss, indicate leaks that need repairing

 HOW DOES BIG SKY COMPARE?
• While we were left with a lot of cleanup involving massive amounts of time
and coordination, we now have a functioning water system including 2
working wells.
• During one of the most challenging years in the last 30+ in Nicaragua, Big
Sky has achieved good roads, good access, good drainage.
• During a time when other developments have closed or gone under, we
have a strong team with strong potential for further progress.
• Ongoing community cooperation and cost savings have allowed Big Sky to
function during a profound economic crisis.
• Visitors comment they are impressed with what they see, and agents are
anxious for travel to open again as they believe Big Sky compares well to
other developments for future sales.
BIG SKY. BIG SUCCESS.