Steamboat Pilot & Today

The idea of no longer gathering at the community center near Little Toots Park may be sad for some residents.

On the other hand, if the center is demolished to make way for a proposed expansion of Bud Werner Memorial Library, there will be an opportunity to build a new facility that better meet residents' growing needs.

City officials will host a meeting Monday to discuss the planning process for a new community center and gather ideas for the center's design.

The existing community center's future hinges on a proposed 20,000-square-foot expansion of the library. The East Routt Library Board in November plans to ask voters to approve a $10 million to $15 million bond to fund the project.

Earlier this month, the Steamboat Springs City Council pledged that the existing community center, which the city owns, would not be removed until a new center is built.

The city and library board have identified city-owned land north of the Stock Bridge Transit Center as a potential location for a new center. City officials are open to other site suggestions, Deputy City Manager Wendy DuBord said.

"Is it the only possible location? Of course not. Is it the best location? We don't know," she said. "We are just starting the process."

The city has estimated that a new center would cost about $1.5 million. Possible funding would come from grants, the city's general fund and the library district.

The city has discussed moving the existing center to a new site, though that likely would not be cost-effective, DuBord said.

The Routt County Council on Aging is among the organizations concerned about the community center issue. RCCOA is based at the center and regularly hosts meals and activities for seniors.

With more seniors taking advantage of programs, RCCOA is dealing with space and storage issues, as well as problems with parking and access to the 25-year-old building.

City officials want to hear from seniors and other users about how a new facility might better fit their needs as well as those of potential new users, DuBord said.

Recruiting volunteers to help facilitate the design process, including hiring an architect and exploring community centers in other communities, are among the goals of the meeting, she said.

The meeting is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Centennial Hall, 124 10th St. For more information, call DuBord at 871-8219 or email wdubord@steamboatsprings.net.