Citizens for a Community Recreation Center: A time of change
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Steamboat Springs is in the midst of an exciting, collaborative and grassroots process of improving the unmet recreational needs of the community. This is an exciting time, and our group, Citizens for a Community Recreation Center, wants the community to get even more involved.
First, a huge thanks to the Leadership Steamboat Class of 2007 for their efforts in bringing the rec center issue to the forefront of Steamboat through their Dialogue Before Discussion Forum. A few things came out of the public forum that should be brought to your attention.
Our community is changing with new families and new businesses moving to Steamboat and Routt County every day. Thanks to the seniors of our area for making Steamboat such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Because of our long-time locals, Steamboat is getting even better. Several at the public forum who have been in Steamboat for a long time say we are fine with our current recreational facilities and the pool at the Old Town Hot Springs. Many residents, and especially those who have more recently called Steamboat home, know that the Old Town Hot Springs cannot meet all of those needs. Rec centers across Colorado and the United States are all-encompassing and multi-generational and beautiful additions to towns and communities. For example, we need an indoor lap pool, diving well, walking/jogging track and more gymnasiums. A Field House would serve lacrosse, soccer, an indoor playground and more. It could even be used for conventions, parties and concerts. We especially need a place for our youth and teens. Having a spot for the kids at a rec center is the perfect solution, and the expert opinion of the consultants hired by the City. Not only is it a great place for families, it is also the perfect place for our community to spend time together.
Another topic was a possible gymnasium at Strawberry Park Elementary School. This does not fulfill the unmet needs of Steamboat's general public. This is a school board issue to decide whether to build another gym on its property. The most recent needs assessment study done by the school district showed that another gym at the school is not a priority.
As far as an indoor pool at the Old Town Hot Springs, this option cannot be pursued until a new Post Office is built and the current property is purchased. The consultants have estimated this to be more than $40 million and more than two years out before anything on that site can even be contemplated.
Recommended sites for a consolidated rec center are: Howelsen Hill area, Ski Town Fields and Rita Valentine Park. We would encourage neighbors and neighborhoods to work with the City and the consultants in coming up with a plan we can be proud of. Jogging trails, sidewalks and Nordic trails can be built in the areas around such a facility, enhancing the open space even more and making it available for everyone to use. Fields can be added. It can be a center for our community and beautifully done to complement the area.
May 8, the City Council will hear what the consultants have to say. Their presentation is informative, thorough and exciting for our community. We encourage the community to come to the meeting and learn more about what the consultants, paid for with your tax dollars, are proposing. Let your voice be heard by encouraging City Council to let the voters decide in November by putting the issue on the ballot. If you really feel that a rec center is something our community needs, we encourage Steamboat's residents to show up to Tuesday night's City Council meeting, listen to the presentation, and voice your opinion to Council. While this is most important for our parents with school-age children, it is also the most difficult for these parents to get there. Bring the kids and show them our community's governmental process in action.
Citizens for a Community Recreation Center
JoEllen Heydon and Marc Fraioli, Chairs
Comments
corduroy 6 years ago
I still think we need an indoor pool An outdoor one is great when the weather is nice. Last time I visited a few years ago we didn't get to go in the pool because it was thundering and lightning. Plus in the winter time. A lot of people like to swim after skiing, or instead of it, etc. I think an indoor pool would really benefit Steamboat. Maybe indoor squash courts or something too, and enlarge the rooms with the work out equipment in them Those are my 2 cents :)
reallocal 6 years ago
Can I stay at the new rec center when my taxes are so high I can't afford my rent? Or maybe City Council can just subsidize my housing...
another_local 6 years ago
We do NOT need an indoor pool. Skip it.
Books 6 years ago
We don't need an indoor pool, we need an aquatic center. Especially on a day like today.
kateskip 6 years ago
I strongly believe that the community needs and will benefit from a multi-purpose, multi-generational community recreation center. Having been a collegiate soccer player and springboard and platform diver it saddens me that there is no diving facilities or indoor turf fields in Steamboat Springs. I would love to see an indoor aquatics center with lap lanes for swimmers (with ample seating for spectators for competitions), a zero entry depth pool for children, and a separate diving well. A separate diving well will not only benefit divers, but water aerobic classes, scuba training classes, kayak rolling classes, and many more. Additionally being a soccer player I think that an indoor turf field is well needed and would benefit soccer, lacrosse, football, ultimate frisbee, and many other sports that currently can only be played during the summer or else on a small hard wood gym floor. Just imagine a place where youth, teens, families, seniors, tourists, etc. can go to play hoops, tennis, rock climb, swim, dive, socialize and much more. It would be wonderful!
elphaba 6 years ago
That's it WZ and let's add a bungee jumping tower and a covered water ski lake and a domed Olympic equestrian arena too! The problem then will be how will these families find time to go to Mexico three or four times a year? It is rough to live in an area with so few amenities. Maybe they should try Cleveland!
Icare 6 years ago
Without a doubt, we live in one of the most beautiful year'round locations in the entire world: all types of skiing available, hikes for every type of hiker, fantastic mountain or road biking, outstanding walks, golfing, etc...you name it. Isn't that why most people moved here rather than somewhere else? Why spend time indoors when you have the absolutely great "outdoors" available?
If you move to Malibu, would you expect the City to build a ski jump or bring in snow? Isn't it possible to enjoy what we already have without taxing ourselves to death with wish lists?
WZ4EVER 6 years ago
I wish we had an indoor horse racing track, and ever since I moved here from Ohio I haven't been able to use my javelin throwing skills at a certified track. We also need an indoor drag racing strip, and how about a virtual-reality indoor hiking cenrter so we don't actually have to go outside?
Why did all of you move here if the recreational opportunities are so bad? How about the 65 million acres of National Forest out there? Move to Cleveland....at least there would be an excuse for not going outside.
another_local 6 years ago
And people wonder why small local business struggles to survive here.
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