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Steamboat Springs — Members of the public on Wednesday will have the first opportunity to hear what consultants hired by the city of Steamboat Springs have to say about recreation needs.

The forum is the culmination of a community service project undertaken by the 2006-07 Leadership Steamboat class, which focused on recreation needs and a proposed recreation center for Steamboat. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the forum will start at 7 p.m. at Steamboat Mountain Theater in Ski Time Square.

Panelists will include Bette Van Dahl with the city's Recreation Needs Exploratory Committee; Pat Carney, Old Town Hot Springs director; and Marc Fraioli, Citizens for Community Recreation Center.

Representing the consultant firms hired by the city are Chuck Musgrave, Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, or BRS, and Chris Dropinski, Greenplay LLC.

"The most significant thing about this forum is the public gets the first chance to see the presentation that BRS and Greenplay will give to the council," said Will Wiggins, a member of the Leadership Steamboat class. "It's a chance for you to informally review this presentation and then ask your ask own questions."

Gypsum city council member Tom Edwards also is attending the forum.

"He played a prominent role in the creation of Gypsum's recreation center," Wiggins said.

This is the 14th year the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association has sponsored the Leadership Steamboat program.

Classes in the past have typically tackled a project that raised money for local non-profit organizations.

"This group wanted to take it in a different direction and hopefully make an impact on the shortcomings of our political process as we grow so fast," Wiggins said.

The group wanted to design a vehicle to inform the community on a complex issue that was important to community members, he said. They chose recreation needs and a proposed new recreation center, a question that could appear on the ballot for voters as soon as this November.

The Leadership Steamboat group has 12 students who have compiled a series of Dialogue Before Decision articles to inform the public on the recreation facility discussion. The articles are available on the Chamber's Web site, at www.steamboatchamber.com.

For the forum, Wiggins said they wanted a relaxed atmosphere that would encourage discussion, so they chose a casual venue that happened to serve wine and beer.

Those not able to attend the forum also can hear what the consultants have to say on May 8, when they present to the Steamboat Springs City Council.