Giving Back

Aspen lakes ownership believes strongly in being a good corporate citizen and contributing to the betterment of it's community. Over the years, Aspen Lakes and the Cyrus family have donated to a myriad of charitable causes and community needs. Donations and contributions have included cash, donation of facilites, equipment use, labor, even water rights.

In part, because course ownership feels so strongly about community leadership, Aspen Lakes is proud to have been selected the Sisters Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business of the Year.

Each year Aspen Lakes contributes to many, many causes -a few of which are listed below

Outlaw Open - Course donation since 1999. This annual tournament has raised in excess of $250,000 for Sisters High School sports.

Starry Nights - facility donation for Sisters School Foundation fund raiser.

To date total funds raised has exceed $50,000.

Direct donations to the school of soil, turf equipment, and turf consultation.

$15,000 to rebuild the irrigation system at the elementary school

Host to dozens of fund raising events (discounted fees).

Donated golf to dozens of charitable events across the state.

Thousands of pounds of canned food to the food bank with an annual food bank drive.

Golf and dinners (Christmas) to local service men and women (both active and retired).

Home course for the Sisters High School Golf team.

Host of the Patriot Challenge - a benefit tournament for the Folds of Honr Foundation.

Donation of greens fees to veterans on Veterans day/weekend.

Allow access to the facility on a reduced fee basis for private fund raisers and tournaments.

Addition Contributions and Participations

Firewise Community One of only a few developments statewide to have received this designation. Implemented Firewise standards before they were codified. The Aspen Lakes Development provides hydrants for fire department use. This has allowed the district to lower it’s ISO rating from an eight to a six, thus saving all of the district’s patrons a considerable amount on their fire insurance. Recently entered into a cooperative partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Deschutes County to perform fuels treatment on 240 acres.

Environmental Stewardship

First Oregon Course to enroll in the Audubon Signature Sanctuary Program.
Donated lease of 50 acres of water into Whychus Creek (offsets the Sisters School District water mitigation cost).
Participates in re-introduction of fish into Whychus Creek.

Cooperates with state and federal agencies for fish surveys and hydrology studies.

Allows various school groups and educational non-profits such as Wolftree to use creek for study projects.
Computerized irrigation system allows minimal use of irrigation water.
Minimal use of pesticides (no insecticides) on Golf Course.
Active recycling program for cans, bottles, cardboard, etc. (100% of used cooking oil is converted to biodiesel).

Employment

Employs nearly 100 people in the summer and between 10 and15 in the winter months. Annual payroll is roughly $850,000. The Aspen Lakes staff are members of the community who spend their dollars in the community supporting other local businesses.

Volunteerism

Keith Cyrus was a founding member of the Cloverdale Rural Fire Department and is currently the board Chairman. Past chairman of the Deschutes County Planning Commission. Has served on the Oregon Potato Commission, as well as past President of Deschutes County Farm Bureau and founding member of Water For Life. Provided a host site for Oregon Hunters Association Youth Hunt program.

Matt Cyrus has been a volunteer with the Cloverdale Rural Fire Department for the past 30 years and is presently a Captain. President of the Deschutes County Farm Bureau and serves on boards of both Water for Life and Oregonians In Action. Committee Chairman for Boy Scout Troop 188. Vice Chair of Sisters School District Budget Committee.

Pam Mitchell has been a 4-H leader for the past 26 years. Volunteer at the Sisters Elementary school, Parent Teacher Committee.

Kelly Cyrus has been an active volunteer in the schools and has served on the board of the Little Cloverdale Preschool as well as numerous
parent committees. Kelly is also a board member for the Sisters chamber of Commerce Connie Cyrus has been a 4-H leader, volunteer with the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, Served on the Sisters Chamber Marketing Committee, the Aspen Lakes Design Review Committee and volunteer with Sparrow Club fundraising.

Donations

More than $10,000 in annual donations to over 60 different organizations across the state.

Sponsor canned food drive for Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank.

Free golf for Veterans on Veterans Day.

Free Christmas dinners for Veterans.

Provides free meetings space for various local organizations including Kiwanis, Rotary, Scouts, Opportunity Knocks, Leads, and Farm Bureau.

Donates golf course for various college, high school, and church tournaments.

Support for Schools

Sponsor of Outlaw Open (generates $25,000 annually for sports and after school programs).

Self imposed school SDC (donates a portion of each lot sale to Sisters Schools Foundation for capital improvements). Recent projects include new irrigation for Elementary School and improvements to High School baseball field.

Donates use of turf equipment for grounds maintenance.

Donates use of Driving Range and Golf Course to High School Golf Teams.

Host site for various fundraising events throughout the year.