Economists: Health, wellness part of Tahoe's economic future

LAKE TAHOE - Economists say Tahoe can market itself as a premier health and wellness destination for patrons of the high-end spa market. Tahoe can become the go-to place for those looking to rehabilitate from injuries or illness or world-class athletes wanting a high-altitude training ground.

Applied Development Economics, a Sacramento-based economic development firm in charge of spearheading the Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan, identified health and wellness as one of three sectors - the others being geotourism and green building - capable of igniting Tahoe's flailing economy.

Jason Collin of Barton Home Health said Tahoe has the opportunity to brand itself as a health-

oriented destination for individuals on both sides of the wellness spectrum.

"Tahoe is an ideal place to rest and recover," he said.

Collin said Tahoe can expand its medical facilities while introducing fields of medical specialization such as orthopedics, spine medicine and oncology, and it should focus on augmenting current Internet-based health operations, utilizing telemedicine technologies to increase traffic and awareness of medical facilities, Collin said.

Also, Tahoe can market itself as a destination for athletes looking for an ideal place to prepare and train - whether it be winter athletes who utilize the ski/snowboard facilities, or summer athletes such as marathon runners who use the altitude to refine their cardiovascular prowess, Collin said.

Tahoe's shift from gaming-centric hospitality toward a more diversified and wellness-oriented model is exemplified by the Boulder Bay project - which is currently awaiting TRPA approval.

Boulder Bay is essentially a reconfiguration of the Tahoe Biltmore in Crystal Bay, taking what was once a typical hotel and casino and transforming into a wellness destination with a 10,000-square-foot spa.

Heather Bacon, president of Boulder Bay, said in a previous reports that Boulder Bay will facilitate longer stays from visitors, thus contributing more to the local economy as a result.

Despite the prevalence of optimism at Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan meetings this year, organizers and participants realize limitations to Tahoe achieving optimal economic output exist.

Specific to health and wellness, the presence of blight and deteriorating infrastructure in communities around the lake contradict the message of health and well-being.

"You can't say to a patient, 'we can rehabilitate you just like we are going to rehabilitate this blight,'" Collin said.