Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden — Without any discussion, Hayden Town Board members made a final approval to purchase 20 acres of Wes Signs' property at their last meeting.

Trustees have been trying to finalize the property purchase for well over a year.

The property was purchased at $7,200 an acre, or $144,000, with the single stipulation that it be used for recreational purposes.

An additional 2.87 acres, as well as one foot of senior water rights on the property, will be purchased in January, as part of a new fiscal year budget, for approximately $89,000.

The water rights, which are an especially important addition to the town because of the potential property value increase associated with them, have an appropriation date of Oct. 1, 1888.

Town Manager Rob Straebel is in the process of writing a Great Outdoors Colorado planning grant. If the grant is awarded, the funds will be used to hire a planning consultant for development of the land. Straebel expects this planning to begin sometime later this year.

Ultimately, the fate of the new town property will be in the hands of community members.

"It's up to the community," Straebel said. "We're going to gather as much public input as we can."

At this point Town Board members are not really sure about what community members want. Because soccer seems to be an up-and-coming sport, the town may make room for a soccer field. Baseball and softball diamonds are another possibility. Trustees have even mentioned a track.

"One thing I'd really like to see go in here is a trail system along Dry Creek," Straebel said.

The land plan will have to account for parking and concession stands as well.

What will eventually come of the new property will also depend on whether or not the recreation district ballot initiatives are passed this November. The land, which is just south of the fairgrounds, could serve as spill over parking for the fairgrounds as well as a recreation area with a workout center and playing fields.

The rec district would probably lease the property from the town if the rec center is approved.

The rec district committee is proposing a property tax increase to fund the prospective $5 million recreation construction bond. With estimated interest, the $5 million will total about $7 million over the course of 15 to 25 years.

In all, four issues will appear on the ballot this fall: the formation of a recreation district, election of district board members, a mill levy increase to fund operational expenses of the rec center and a construction bond to pay for the structure.