NPS Mission - National Park Service

National Park Service FY 2013 Budget Justifications
National Park Service
PROJECT DATA SHEET
Project Identification
Project Title: Replace the Old Faithful Warming Hut
RecFee-25
Total Project Score/Ranking: 408
Programmed Funding FY: 2013
Funding Source: Recreation Fee Park Revenue
Project No: PMIS-175751A Unit/Facility Name: Yellowstone National Park
Region: Intermountain Congressional District: WYAL State: WY
Project Justification
DOI Asset Code Real Property Unique
Identifier
35290800 101945 70 0
Project Description:
API FCI-Before FCI-
Projected
The Old Faithful area is the major destination of winter visitors. However, winter services and facilities
are very limited by comparison to those available during the main season. A warming hut provides
essential shelter and basic amenities such as heated space, seats, and tables for winter visitors who
must cope with subzero temperatures and heavy snowfall. For several decades, a structure that
formerly functioned as a theater in the Old Faithful Visitor Center complex has been adaptively
converted into a warming hut during the winter season. However, this structure was demolished along
with the rest of the outdated facilities in the Old Faithful Visitor Center complex to make way for a new
Visitor Education Center which opened to the public in 2010. Three temporary yurts and a restroom
facility were constructed to bridge the time between the demolition and the replacement construction.
Simultaneously, planning is underway that will inform management decisions as to the location and
type of facility that will permanently serve as a winter warming hut, and key activities associated with
this planning will be funded.
Project Need/Benefit:
Warming huts provide shelter and a place for day use winter visitors to each lunch at key locations in
Yellowstone National Park during the winter season (mid-December to mid-March). These warming
huts are critical to the safe and satisfactory experience of winter visitors, especially those traveling via
snowmobile, as they provide a place in which to warm up from the subzero temperatures that are
common during winter. Many also provide basic snacks and warm beverages.. The warming hut in the
Old Faithful area is the single most heavily used facility because Old Faithful Geyser is the major
destination of winter visitors. The only other facilities open at Old Faithful during the winter season are
the Snow Lodge, Service Station, and visitor center. None of these facilities is designed to
accommodate the number of day use visitors needing shelter. A temporary structure was previously
constructed until a permanent structure could be designed and constructed. This funding will also
support planning activities related to the Old Faithful Comprehensive Plan. These plans form the basis
for decisions on the location and type of facility that will become the permanent warming hut for winter
visitors to Old Faithful.
Ranking Categories: Identify the percent of the project that is in the following categories of
need.
0 % Critical Health or Safety Deferred Maintenance 0 % Energy Policy, High Performance Sustain Bldg CI
0 % Critical Health or Safety Capital Improvement 0 % Critical Mission Deferred Maintenance
0 % Critical Resource Protection Deferred Maintenance 75 % Other Deferred Maintenance
0 % Critical Resource Protection Capital Improvement 0 % Code Compliance Capital Improvement
25 % Other Capital Improvement