Steamboat Pilot & Today

Emerald Park has softball and soccer fields, and a playground where children can romp while siblings compete on the playing fields. What it doesn't have is a place for families to gather out of the sun and enjoy a picnic.

That's about to change.

City of Steamboat Springs Park Supervisor Ernie Jenkins said Tuesday that within several weeks, a covered addition to the existing restroom facility will be complete. Crews from Dobell Contracting Co. are installing peeled-log timbers that will frame the 500-square-foot shelter on the south and west sides of the building.

"There's no shade over there right now," Jenkins said. "This is phase two of a project we started in 1997. The important thing was that we get the restrooms in there."

The budget for the construction project is about $32,000, of which $13,500 is being provided through a gift from the Steamboat Baseball Association, Jenkins said. The association was formed to help establish Little League here. It's capital fund came in part from contributions from local businesses, Jenkins said.

The new addition will be open to the air. It is being built with the future in mind.

"The river side is being roughed in for the possibility of a concession area someday," Jenkins said. "If Little League or youth soccer parents say they want the ability to serve concessions, it will be very little work to add electric lines and a sink."

The existing restroom building is clean and functional, but the building is fairly plain. The new log uprights and gable ends will give it a more architectural flair.

"The log work came out really nice and it's in keeping with the original log siding. It's the same log siding as on the ice rink," Jenkins said.

-- To reach Tom Ross call 871-4205

or e-mail tross@steamboatpilot.com