Pool Construction, fund raising Colorado

MINUTES

CITY OF GLENWOOD SPRINGS

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 20, 2001

PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Mayor Sam Skramstad

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Zanella, Jean Martensen, Don Vanderhoof, Mary Steinbrecher, and Don Gillespie

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Rick Davis

ALSO PRESENT: Mike Copp, City Manager; Teresa Williams, City Attorney;

Mike Harman, Director of Finance; Robin Clemons, City Clerk; Mike Piper, Fire Chief; Andrew

McGregor, Director of Community Development; Dan Rodgerson, Director of Parks and

Recreation; Terry Wilson, Director of Public Safety; Larry Thompson, City Engineer; and Steve

Vanderleest, Assistant City Engineer.

Mayor Skramstad announced that the ground breaking ceremony for the new City Hall was held earlier in the afternoon.

ITEM NO. 2 Citizens Appearing Before Council.

Glen Chadwick, 705 Silver Oak Drive, noted that a lot of supporters of a pool at the Community Center were in attendance with him. He thought Council was to be commended for getting the Community Center going and he heard it was a beautiful building. He stated he was anxious to skate on real ice this winter and thought it was a great deal; however, he the Community Center would not be complete until the pool and theater were built. As Council knew, he was part of an ad hoc group trying to raise funds for the swimming pool component of the Community Center. He said the group would like to be on Council’s agenda October 4. Between now and then, they plan to work with Dan Rodgerson, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. With respect to all groups involved, they thought the pool should be the next component of the Community Center for a couple of reasons. First, it was the most serious need; second, they thought it was the most financially feasible. No other public, year-round pool was available between Avon and Battlement Mesa. They have been relying on the good graces of the Hot Springs Pool and the Sunlight Racquet Club for years. The Hot Springs Pool was generous but could not accommodate all of the needs for swim teams. They provide other aquatic programing, but there was a limit. The community should not expect them to accommodate all of the need. The Sunlight Racquet Club is being sold and when that facility goes away, the community loses the only practice facility for high school girls’ and boys’ swim teams. They were 9^th and 10^th in the State of Colorado last winter. There would be programs that would not happen for lack of a facility. They thought the pool was a legitimate public project deserving of the funding of the City. Most of the Community Centers throughout western Colorado have pools, including Delta, Montrose, and Rangely. The estimated cost of the pool is $2.2 million. The estimated cost of the proposed theater is more than $5 million. He would love to see both, but he thought that, as a practical matter, the feasibility of a pool was closer. They respectfully submitted that the City should commit now to tackle the pool. Then, they would like to see the theater go forward; however, they thought the most could be gained quickly by adding the pool. Their group obtained written pledges this summer of about $150,000 from the swim team’s past and present families. They have at least $100,000 in solid other promises, but they have run into a couple of obstacles. One was that donors were not willing to give money to something that was a “maybe.” They perceive the pool to still be a maybe because the City had not committed to building the pool. Money had not been put on the table. He thought there were local donors and businesses that did not want to be in the lead giving money to the pool, because they would be perceived as favoring the pool over the theater. They support both, just as this group did. If the City could take the lead on this, others would be willing to get on the bandwagon. It could be done in a staged and phased way.

Mr. Chadwick maintained this was a critical juncture. Tonight, Council will be looking at next

year’s budget; however, they are asking Council to look at the longer term. To get the most out

of the Community Center, the City needed to take a strong leadership role. The City took that

role when they supported, and the citizens passed, a bond issue a couple of years ago. Now,

Council could take a further leadership role in doing the next stage, which they hoped would be

an aquatic component. The core facility has been completed. The land was purchased. Locker

rooms are in place. Offices and parking are there; however, they thought the Community Center

would be under-utilized until the pool went into place. He again requested time on the October

4^th agenda to have Council seriously consider commitment of the remaining available funds to

the pool out of the bond issue. They understood that to be about $750,000. If that could be

done, they would have approximately $1 million. They thought that was a basic critical mass to

move forward to more local donors and grant funds. The City would have a $2.2 million pool for

about one-third the price, or $750,000. Whatever Council does, whether it is the pool or

theater, this group thinks the City should make a commitment of the remaining funds to a big

ticket item. The things for which money had been allocated were important components of the

Community Center; however, the big ticket items needs that support – both the money and the

political will of the City.

Mayor Skramstad asked Council what they would need from this group. He also asked if Mr.

Rodgerson could look at the numbers done by his predecessor and give Council some input.

Dan Rodgerson said he had come from a strong aquatic background and he has built two pools in

his career. He suggested that an independent pool person should be employed to review the

project and give some realistic projections and subsidy rates. He emphasized that he is a pool

advocate. He noted he was a competitive swimmer and both of his daughters swim on swim

teams. He thought that having an expert in this field giving realistic projections would be best.

The reality was that the design of the pool, the elements that were put in, would determine the

subsidy rate. If a rectangular pool was built and did not have other additional features, many

people would not be attracted. The trend in community pools was to bring in elements seen at

some water parks such as small water slides, pools that go to zero depth, and interactive water

features. He spoke with the pool folks over the last two days. He could have some numbers

from a pool professional within a number of weeks. Mayor Skramstad asked the cost of a

consultant. Mr. Rodgerson stated that would depend on what they were asked to do.

Councilor Zanella asked if the projections the City already had were done by pool people.

Councilor Gillespie said the previous information had the City subsidy at about $260,000.

Councilor Zanella said those figures were given by the company who did the engineering. He

thought they hired outside experts in different areas to do the projections. Mr. Rodgerson said

he would check that out. Some things were done by Steve Foster and John Weider. Mr.

Rodgerson said he told Mr. Copp that the pool needed to be designed to attract some tourist and

people outside the community. Having them assist with the subsidy rate was the key. If a

rectangular pool was built, as was in essentially every hotel, no tourists would come. He thought

the design of the pool needed to be reconsidered to lower that subsidy rate. Mayor Skramstad

said it was important that Mr. Rodgerson had some input. He was hired to live with that

building. Mr. Rodgerson added that the reality was that pools did not make money. A subsidy

would be necessary; however, ways to reduce that could be found.

James Conway, Donegan Road, asked if he could comment on what was just said about the

subsidy. Everything the government does requires some subsidy. He is a parent of two teenage

daughters and knew a lot of teens in town. While Glenwood Springs has a lot to do, the number

of things for teens to do is limited. The City came along way with the building of the Community

Center. Many of the additions, including the climbing wall, would attract people; however, what

is needed is a place for kids to call their own – where they could be comfortable, play basketball,

go to the pool, and visit with their classmates. The Recreation Department of Glenwood Springs

is great. He is confident that the new people on board would do a great job with programing to

keep the pool fully utilized while giving the children a place to go and have fun. He agreed that a

subsidy would be needed, just as a subsidy for the Fire Department, Police Department and

Council was required. The City needed these things and the citizens did not mind paying a

subsidy if what they got was value. The swim team raised $150,000 from members. All

members were working families with children. They have tried to do all they could to get it

started. Other donors would get the total to $250,000; however, they could not do it alone. If

Council would show their support verbally and monetarily, he believed the facility could be built.

He added that he thought Council did a great job and he hoped they could all work together to

get the pool built.

Mike Barnes, Chairman of the fund-raising efforts, said the previous speakers did such a good

job that he would not cover the same ground but he wanted to speak to two things. First, Mr.

Rodgerson’s idea of putting additional elements in the pool was fantastic. They would support

putting additional elements in the pool, even if the price were significantly raised. They want the

subsidy to be less. It would drastically increase the effectiveness of the fund-raising because

they could go to a larger, more diverse group of potential donors. He noted that they already

started with their swimming community. They were most interested in a pool. Fund-raising

efforts have been reaching to the community at large and the business community. They have

also been looking at grants and other entities such as the County and the School Districts, RE-1

and RE-2, both of which contribute swimmers to the programs here. He said his point was that

all of the entities were looking to Council for leadership. Two donors with a potential donation

totaling $350,000 have been scared away from giving money to the Community Center because

they did not feel that a clear idea of the next step was present. People want to know that they

are part of what the community wants. Only Council can determine that. The community

clearly wanted to have everything. He thought only enough seed money was available to get one

of the projects off the ground now. If the City waited longer, that seed money would be gone

because of other worthy, small projects to be done.

Dr. Barnes noted that his last point concerned grants. To get grants, most of the organizations

wanted the community to have raised 40% of the money, or approximately $1 million. H

e thought that this group solidly had the $250,000. They needed the other $750,000 for the

pool, if that was the decision of Council. Then, they would be able to go after the grants. The

money pledged would go away on June 1, 2002, if nothing were to happen. They had to tell

people their pledge might last for 40 years.

Kelsey Barnes said she had been on swim teams, the Barracudas and the high school swim team,

for eleven years. Over that time, things have gotten no better. They have gotten worse. They

do not have lane lines, back striped flags, or blocks. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams believed they

could do much better if they had a competition pool in which to have home meets. She said that

others had asked why a pool was needed. She did not think they realized that the Hot Springs

Pools was actually a private pool. This year, they are allowed to use the Hot Springs three days

a week. Other times they must try to go to Battlement Mesa, not swim, or swim on their own.

That is tough for a swim team.

Tess Jankovsky said she is a junior at Glenwood Springs High School. She had also been

swimming for quite awhile. The team appreciated what the Racquet Club and the Hot Springs

Pool allowed them to do. To have an effective swim team, gaining swimmers and continuing to

improve, a pool that could be used for competition is necessary – with regulation lanes and

length – so they may get used to that for the swimming and for home meets. The High Schoo

l Swim Team, which had been successfully competing for five years, had never been able to hold

a home meet. While it is great to go to other meets, there was something special about having a

home meet. The pool and Community Center would provide that opportunity.

Ms. Barnes added that going to all of the towns, seeing the attractive facilities, and participating

in great meets – sometimes with free food – the High School team would like to return the favor

. They would like everyone in the community to see this team, who last year placed 9^th in the 4A

State meet which was a huge accomplishment for such a small town. The pool would also benefit

those currently in high school; however, the younger group, the Barracuda’s, was a fantastic

group of swimmers – a couple placed in the top five at State Junior Olympics this summer. She

would like to see them swim in high school, too but she is not sure a high school team would

survive without the facility.

Mayor Skramstad said he thought Council got their point. He commended the younger

community members who commented. Most rarely did as well as they have. He added they

would have another chance when the item was placed on the agenda for October 4^th, if Mr.

Rodgerson and Mr. Copp could get together to make sure Council had the necessary information.

Parks and Rec director resigns - Dan Rodgerson

GLENWOOD SPRINGS - Dan Rodgerson, the Parks and Recreation Department director who saw through construction of the Community Center here, announced Wednesday he will resign to take a new job in South Carolina.

Rodgerson, 34, accepted a job as executive director of the Greenville Recreation District. He'll be leaving Glenwood Springs at the end of February.

"It's a step up in the right direction. I just submitted my resignation to Mike (Tuesday)," Rodgerson said of his boss, Glenwood Springs city manager Mike Copp.

Greenville, S.C., a city of about 300,000 people, has more than $6 million budgeted yearly for its recreation district. Rodgerson will oversee a staff of 55 employees - 41 more than he had in Glenwood Springs.

Rodgerson said one of the motivating factors for his move is a chance to earn his master's degree in public administration at Clemson University. His tuition will be paid by his new employer once he gains South Carolina residency.

"I enjoyed my time here," he said Wednesday. "It was certainly a difficult decision to make."

But another reason Rodgerson and his wife, Minda, are leaving, he admitted, is the high cost of living in the Glenwood Springs area.

"We never bought a house," he said. "Property values are about half in South Carolina."

Rodgerson said his replacement has not yet been chosen.

"They'll probably do a national search," he said.

Rodgerson took the reins of the recreation department in July 2001.

Since then, he oversaw completion of the Community Center and operated it during its first year.

The recreation department also started construction on ballfields behind Sopris Elementary School, a roof and support building were installed at the Community Center skating rink, and tennis courts for the Community Center were approved.

Rodgerson also helped garner two grants for a new swimming pool, and was instrumental in the purchase and construction of the Community Center climbing wall.

"I really feel good about the facilities and the department," he said. "Council has been incredibly supportive of me and recreation in a lot of ways."

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Tennis bubble rolls off to storage; four outdoor courts to be built - Dan Rodgerson

A tennis bubble trade-off evoked a mixed reaction among tennis players during the Glenwood Springs City Council meeting Thursday.

City Council decided to build four new outdoor courts at the Community Center and leave the bubble, purchased earlier this year from the Snowmass Club, in outdoor storage in the city's boneyard.

Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Department director Dan Rodgerson pushed down his cost estimate for installing the bubble to $310,000, and noted that at a recent, well-attended meeting of tennis enthusiasts, most supported installing the bubble.

"They said they wanted to do anything they could to make it happen," he said.

But Rodgerson noted that four uncovered courts would provide more total tennis usage than two courts under the bubble.

He also predicted there would be grumbles from people who see the 40-foot-tall, 120-foot-long by 120-foot-wide white bubble as an eyesore. It would be highly visible from many neighborhoods in West Glenwood.

Several tennis players spoke out in support of the bubble.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," said Mike Blair. "Whenever I go by Copper Mountain, I think, `Those people are lucky, they can play all winter.'"

Walt Brown said he's played tennis all over the world and he would love to see the Snowmass Club bubble reinflated in Glenwood Springs.

"I've played in this bubble probably 200 times, and I think you stole it," he said.

The city actually paid $8,000 for the bubble.

But City Council decided to forego the bubble to build four courts in front of the Community Center next spring.

"I don't want to open up the Community Center next year without any tennis courts," Councilman Don Gillespie said.

"It makes all the sense to me to build four courts now," Mayor Don Vanderhoof said.

Councilman Dave Merritt vehemently disagreed, however.

"Why did we bother asking for public input on this?" he asked. "By foregoing this, we are essentially throwing the bubble away."

City manager Mike Copp gave bubble fans a glimmer of hope, saying he would look for a way to partially fund the bubble, leaving bubble supporters to raise the remainder needed.

"I'm saying there could be ways we could make this happen," he said.

After the final 5-2 vote to build four courts, with Merritt and Rick Davis dissenting, tennis players expressed mixed feelings about the outcome.

Some said they were happy to get four outdoor courts, while others were bitterly disappointed that the bubble is, for now, deflated.

"Four courts are better than none," said C.C. Nolen. "The bubble isn't dead, it's just waiting in the boneyard until the right donors come along."

Corrine Merritt said she'd play at the four courts, but recalled, "at the Parks and Recreation meeting, the community was 2-1 in favor and (City Council) didn't want to listen. We wanted the bubble."

Rodgerson said the council's decision to build four courts is a boon to the Community Center and to tennis players around the area.

"There's a lot of strong feelings both ways, but the bottom line is we have four new courts, so the tennis community wins," he said.

Rodgerson expects to charge players $2 to $5 per hour to play on the new courts.

The courts will be cleaned and maintained and players will be able to reserve the courts and use the Community Center's locker rooms.

"I have a hard time looking at this as a loss for the tennis community," he said. "The city hasn't built tennis courts for 20 years. I look at this as a huge step forward."

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City sales tax slide continues, but September '01 hard to beat - Dan Rodgerson

Sales tax revenues from September in Glenwood Springs crashed this year compared to September 2001, but numbers can be deceiving.

The September 2002 sales tax revenues of $957,000 were down 9.6 percent from September 2001, building on a downward trend for the year.

But the month-to-month comparison may be unfair, because sales tax revenues in September 2001 of $1 million marked a dramatic 10 percent spike over taxes collected in September 2000.

It's believed that in the wake of the terrorist attacks, many people canceled air travel and vacationed close to home, yielding a substantial benefit for Glenwood Springs in September 2001.

By the end of September 2002, city sales tax revenues for the first three quarters of the year were down 3.5 percent from the same period in 2001, according to a report prepared by city finance manager Mike Harman.

Year to date, sales tax revenues for 2002 totaled $7.6 million, compared with $7.9 million in 2001 and $7.1 million in 2000 for the same period.

Following a disastrous June, when the Coal Seam Fire shut down the town for three days and sales tax revenues dropped by 8.7 percent compared to June 2001, revenues continued to fall through the summer.

July revenues were down by 2.2 percent, August revenues were down by 6.3 percent, and the latest figures show that September revenues fell by 9.6 percent, leading to the cumulative decline of 3.5 percent.

Sectors taking the biggest hits were apparel, marking a 13 percent decline; transportation and utilities, marking a 10 percent drop; and furniture and home furnishings, off by 5 percent. Other sectors of the economy were down by 1 to 4 percent, according to Harman's report.

The figures were presented to the Glenwood Springs City Council on Thursday.

The city's accommodations tax revenues also fell, dropping by 13 percent in September 2002 over September 2001.

Year to date, accommodations tax revenues total $409,000, compared to $422,000 by the end of September 2001. Losses suffered in June erased all gains made earlier in the year over 2001 figures.

Aside from sales and accommodations tax losses, Harman's report shows that other city funds remain in good shape.

As of Sept. 30, the city's electric department reported a net profit of $212,000; the water and sewer department marked a profit of $350,000; and the landfill reported a net income of $912,000.

Community Center


The new Glenwood Springs Community Center is not recovering as much of its costs as expected, however.

Dan Rodgerson, parks and recreation director, said the facility was expected to collect 63 percent of its costs, but by the end of September, the recovery rate was lagging at 53 percent.

"Our revenues are up, but our expenses are up higher," he said, noting that many unexpected expenses popped up after the 2002 budget for the facility was finalized.

The city budgeted $684,000 in spending for the Community Center for all of 2002, but actual spending through Sept. 30 was close to $742,000.

Rodgerson expects to make some gains on the recovery rate by year's end.

"We anticipate finishing the year at close to 60 percent of our operating expenses," he said.

"November and December are our best months, because we'll be hosting many holiday parties and bringing in more memberships," he said.

While the Community Center has been busy hosting a variety of special event functions, one quarter of them have been sponsored by the city and have not paid a rental fee, he noted.

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City Council delivers the green for `sodless park' - Dan Rodgerson

The new ballfields at Sopris Park will get sod after all.

Glenwood Springs City Council members reversed an earlier decision to cut costs on the new park and agreed Thursday to spend an extra $58,000 to buy sod.

Seeding the park would cost $5,000 to $8,000, but would also delay use of the park until fall 2003. By laying sod next spring, the ballfield could be used almost immediately.

"Reports of the sodless park stirred up a lot of people about when the park could be used," city parks and recreation manager Dan Rodgerson said.

City Council members heard about it, too, and were easily persuaded to pull the $58,000 from the fund that collects parkland dedication fees.

The original cost for sodding the park was bid at $90,000 by the park's contractor, Gould Construction.

Rodgerson said Little League families offered free labor to place the sod, and landscape architect John Taufer suggested that only the ballfield itself be sodded. Those savings cut the cost of buying sod to $58,000.

Councilman Larry Emery said the expense would still leave enough money in the fund to pay for tennis courts at the Community Center.

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Sodless park won't open until next fall - Dan Rodgerson

Construction has begun on Glenwood Springs' 13th city park and is expected to be largely finished in about two months, Parks and Recreation director Dan Rodgerson said.

But the park won't be open to the public, even for light use, until fall 2003.

"The problem is we have to use seed instead of sod, and that delays the park's opening," Rodgerson said.

Grass seed will be planted next spring, so it will take until next fall for the grass to be able to handle activity.

"I spoke with the architect and our parks superintendent and determined that with proper application and irrigation, the fields should be ready for light use in the fall of 2003," Rodgerson wrote in a memo to city manager Mike Copp.

The one exception could be allowing students from Sopris Elementary School to use a portion of the park for recess in late spring and early fall before the park opens.

A tight budget forced Rodgerson and his staff to go with seed instead of sod, and to trim other amenities at the park.

One major blow to the park's budget was the denial of a $150,000 Great Outdoors Colorado, or GOCO, grant.

"Three times as many (entities) are vying for GOCO grants than there used to be," he said. Grants that used to be all but assured now are less likely to be awarded.

Other features cut from the plan are rest rooms and two sand volleyball courts.

Despite these cutbacks, the seven-acre park will feature two baseball/softball fields, two soccer fields in their outfields, a concrete and earthen trail that encircles the park's perimeter, pedestrian connections from the Cardiff Glen subdivision and Sopris Elementary School, picnic tables and drinking fountains.

"There's a fairly substantial landscape plan, as well," Rodgerson said.

The park, which has not yet been named, is located just east of Sopris Elementary School off Mount Sopris Drive. With the cost-cutting measures, the estimated cost is now $477,000.

The job of naming the park is in the hands of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission.

"The Parks and Rec Commission is doing more than just naming the park. They're trying to figure out a naming policy on how we name our parks and why we name them that," Rodgerson said.

Whatever the name, it will be convenient for students who attend Sopris Elementary School.

"It will be nice to have this in their backyard," Rodgerson said.

Construction on the park began Sept. 30 and by Thursday, concrete sidewalks were being poured and earth grading was being completed.

"It looks like they finished the rough grade and they're starting with the irrigation and sidewalks," Rodgerson said.

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Hall of Fame Nominations - Dan Rodgerson

The Glenwood Springs Community Center is calling for nominations for a 2002 Hall of Fame inductee. Nominations for the 2002 inductee are due by Friday, Nov. 1. Nominees must be currently or have been a resident of Glenwood Springs. Nomination forms are available through the Glenwood Springs chamber, 1102 Grand Ave.; the Community Center, 2301 Wulfsohn Road; or City Hall, 101 Eighth St. For more information, call Dan Rodgerson at 384-6301.

Local author Jerry D. Mohrlang will give a slide presentation, "Adventure in Borneo" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library, 413 9th Street. Mohrlang is the author of "Sarawak," a newly published work of historical fiction set in Borneo. The program is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a book-signing. Through The Looking Glass bookstore and the Glenwood Springs Branch Library are sponsoring the event. For more information, call 945-5958.

Learn to square dance. Lessons will begin Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Roy Moore Elementary School in Silt. Singles and couples of all ages invited. Single men especially needed. Dance to master caller Dan Seeley of Meeker. For more information, call P.J. Miller at 984-0801.

The reference department of the Garfield County Public Library system will sponsor a program on genealogy, "Beyond Death Certificates: Newspaper Records" at the Silt library at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. Professional genealogist Barbara Henritze will speak about newspaper articles that can help in a genealogy search. The program is free. For more information, call the Silt library at 876-5500 or Sharon at 947-0512.

Carbondale will shut down the irrigation ditches on Oct. 15. If you have any questions, please call the public works department at 963-1307. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this drought period. Through everyone's cooperative efforts, we all seemed to have enough water when it was needed. If there is any water left in the river next year, we expect to have the ditches back on around the first of April.

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Community Center group laps up circus - Dan Rodgerson

Dear Editor,

On behalf of Friends of the Community Center and the LAP (Let's All Pledge) fund-raising campaign, I would like to thank Robert Macgregor for the use of his property at Glenwood Meadows as the venue for Circus Chimera. The circus came to town three weeks ago, and despite the torrential rainstorm, put on four wonderful family-oriented shows and managed to raise $5,000 towards the pool!

I commend Mr. Macgregor for his community-mindedness and for his enthusiastic response to our needs.

Also in line for thanks are Dan Rodgerson, the city's director of parks and recreation, and his crew for all their preliminary set-up work and then on Sunday for mopping up the mud.

And last but not least, a special thank-you to all the businesses and individuals who prepurchased tickets in a show of support that ultimately ensured the success of the event.

If you enjoyed the show and would like to see Circus Chimera back in Glenwood Springs next year, please e-mail them your comments at: chimera@1starnet.com.

Sincerely,

Cheryl A. Peterson

Glenwood Springs

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LAP Pool fund drive now halfway to $3.2 million- Dan Rodgerson

Fund-raising efforts aimed at building a new pool next to the Glenwood Springs Community Center pool are in the swim.

The Let's All Pledge, or LAP, campaign drive is halfway to its ultimate goal of collecting $3.2 million.

The drive was boosted Thursday when organizers learned they would receive $100,000 from the state Department of Local Affairs. They also received a $10,000 donation Thursday in the LAP mailbox.

"We're excited about the funds," Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Department director Dan Rodgerson said. "The grant was a long shot since the city has received money from the Department of Local Affairs for City Hall and the Community Center. We're pleased to receive something."

The latest pledge brings the total amount up to $1,703,850.

"(The latest donations) puts us over the halfway point of our fund drive and places us in excellent position for additional grants," LAP chairwoman Terri Miller said.

One concern about the status of the fund-raising is the impending September deadline. But Glenwood Springs Mayor Don Vanderhoof said he would support a request to extend the deadline.

"The fund-raising group has done an excellent job so far, and we have had major successes in the past few months," Vanderhoof said.

More money is expected in the coming weeks from local people and businesses, Miller said.

"We certainly see this project as a win-win situation for the whole community," Miller said.

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Pool complex fund-raising enters community phase - Dan Rodgerson

The Friends of the Community Center committee is reaching out to locals with an appeal to raise an additional $2 million to complete a public aquatic center in Glenwood Springs.

Designs for the $3.2 million pool complex were approved earlier this month by City Council.

A community wide capital fund-raising campaign starts Monday with hopes of raising enough money to break ground on the project in late September.

"As the momentum continues to gain, this project appears to be more of a reality than a wish," said Dan Rodgerson, Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation director.

"We are excited about how the pool will dramatically enhance our program offerings. It would be incredible to be able to ice skate, rock climb and swim laps all under the same roof," he said.

The 11,000-square-foot public pool facility will be attached to the northeast wall of the gym at the Community Center. It will include a flexible eight-lane 25-meter pool, a leisure and learn-to-swim area, play slides, a Jacuzzi and an outdoor patio.

Included in the cost of the pool construction is funding for an enclosed balcony for cardio equipment overlooking the pool on one side and the current gym on other. The addition of the "cardio balcony" will help the Community Center expand its popular fitness component.

The volunteer, fund-raising citizens committee reports that more than one-third of the estimated funds needed to build the pool facility have been pledged.

Fund-raising began in April 2001 with solicitations to past and present families of the Sopris Barracudas competitive swim club program, followed by a targeted mailing to area businesses.

To date, $1.175 million has been promised for the project from the city, area businesses and numerous families. The fund raisers also are pursuing numerous grants this summer from a variety of private and government entities.

A mailing to 4,800 local residents and 500 businesses will be sent out this week. A pledge form also is included on page 3 in the new Parks and Recreation Leisure Scene booklet for summer.

Tax-deductible contributions can be spread out across four years.

The City Council also recently proclaimed April 29 to May 13 as LAP-Let's All Pledge weeks.

The citizens committee is working with the city Parks and Recreation Department, which will oversee construction and operation of the facility. The nonprofit Two Rivers Community Foundation will collect, manage and distribute gift funds for the center construction.

For information, contact committee spokeswoman Terri Miller at 947-9835.

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Thanks for the bubble - Dan Rodgerson

Dear Editor,

Open Letter to City of Glenwood Springs,

I'd like to take this time on behalf of myself and tennis players of all ages and abilities to say THANK YOU for the recent purchase of the Snowmass tennis bubble. What a great amenity this is for the people of the city of Glenwood Springs and the surrounding area. I especially want to acknowledge the extra efforts of "bubble boys" Dan Rodgerson and Al Laurette, who now know more than they ever thought they would about tennis bubbles. Thank you, guys.

See you at the bubble.

M. Susan Cashel

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Molly Hatchet's roaring will accompany motorcyclists' roarin' - Dan Rodgerson

After receiving detailed plans for the handling of a July 6 Molly Hatchet concert at Two Rivers Park, Glenwood Springs City Council members gave the show their blessing.

"I think if done properly, it would be a good thing for Glenwood Springs," Councilman Larry Emery said. The other council members agreed.

The concert is scheduled for the evening of July 6 as part of the first-ever Harley-Davidson Roaring Fork Independence Rally. Molly Hatchet, a southern-rock band out of Jacksonville, Fla., is best known for its hit "Flirtin' with Disaster." According the band's official website, the band's name comes from 17th-century Salem, Mass., where, according to legend, a woman named Hatchet Molly would behead her lovers with an ax.

In his presentation to council Thursday night, Patrick Coggins, general manager of Aspen Valley Harley-Davidson and organizer of the rally, alluded to the public banter that's been going on recently in the Letters to the Editor section of the Post Independent. He insisted that most motorcycles - even Harleys - aren't inherently loud, but they all can be modified to be made louder. Coggins also pointed out that there are loud cars and loud trucks on the road.

The plan for the concert includes a request for uniformed Glenwood Springs police. Coggins told council that rally organizers would pay for the extra police patrols.

The motorcycle rally is set to take place July 4-6 and will use the Glenwood Springs Community Center as its hub.

Coggins told council that the idea behind the rally is to take advantage of the presence of around 800 bikers who ride to Aspen each Independence Day and give them a place to gather and spend their money downvalley.

Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation director Dan Rodgerson said he'd like to set the record straight regarding the community center's role in the rally.

"There's a whole bunch of misconceptions out there that Harley riders are going to take over the Community Center," he said.

Rodgerson assures that rally participants will be in the center's banquet rooms and on the ice rink's surface - where there will be vendors - but that the rest of the facility will be open.

"They'll be focused on that side of the Community Center. Everything else will be open to the public," Rodgerson said. "We have made every effort to minimize impacts on our members and on residents."

The Harley-Davidson rally isn't the only motorcycle event planned. Rodgerson said there will be a Honda Gold Wing rally later this summer.



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Tennis fan lobs $8,000 toward 'bubble' purchase - Dan Rodgerson

A Glenwood Springs tennis devotee and his wife are doing all they can to keep Battlement Mesa from bursting their bubble.

Ron and Kayli Offerle handed workers at the Glenwood Springs Community Center an $8,000 check for the center's purchase of the Snowmass Club tennis bubble.

Ron brought a cashier's check to the center March 26 after reading a story in the Post Independent about the possibility that the city could buy the bubble.

"I have a great interest in tennis and I'm a tennis player," Ron Offerle said. "We're not looking for any notoriety or anything ... It's really not that much money."

He just wants Glenwood Springs to beat Battlement Mesa in scooping up the bargain bubble.

The Snowmass Club plans to replace the 8-year-old, $120,000 bubble with a permanent structure. So it has offered to sell the inflatable, two-court enclosure for $8,000. The year-round tennis court cover comes with heating and fan equipment, and is expected to last another 10 years.

Offerle figured the donation would give the Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Department the upper hand.

"I thought they could move faster and beat out Battlement Mesa," Offerle said. "I think we need more tennis. I grew up in Grand Junction and I hope that someday our tennis program can rival theirs."

"It's certainly not a done deal, but his donation makes the decision easier," Parks and Recreation director Dan Rodgerson said.

Rodgerson still needs to take the proposal to the city Planning and Zoning Commission, figure out the extra construction costs a bubble would require, calculate upgrade or repair costs for the bubble's fans, heaters and electrical components and figure utility costs.

And while $8,000 will buy the bubble, Rodgerson said it will cost $4,500 to move it from Snowmass Village to Glenwood Springs.

Rodgerson hasn't yet cashed Offerle's check. He wants to be sure the bubble is approved first. But time is critical, he said.

"They need to take it down in two weeks," he said.

The item is on City Council's agenda for Thursday night. Rodgerson is recommending the city use its own money to buy the bubble and, if it can be used, then accept Offerle's donation.

Tennis enthusiast and high school coach Kim Schlagel, 23, said the bubble would be a great amenity for the community.

"It would be really nice to be able to play tennis year-round," she said. "I think there's a lot of support for it."

Schlagel moved to Glenwood Springs from Florida, where tennis is played outdoors year-round. An affordable facility that fosters indoor tennis would be good for adults and kids alike, she said.

"I just want to help the city to offer different activities for kids," she said. "The Community Center - it's part of the community, so it's encouraging community tennis."

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Council to immerse itself in details of Community Center pool design - Dan Rodgerson

Glenwood Springs city leaders will dive into the design plans and funding needs for the proposed Community Center pool Thursday.

Parks and Recreation director Dan Rodgerson will present a proposed design to the Glenwood Springs City Council. The project is sought by Friends of the Community Center.

In January, a pool design committee formed and struck a compromise to include a competitive swimming area and a leisure area with a play spot, a one-meter diving board, a sloped entry, fountains and water slides.

"I believe that the new design provides for a larger leisure component ... while at the same time meeting competitive needs and lowering the subsidy rate," Rodgerson wrote in a memo to city manager Mike Copp. "The current design is still conceptual and will require some fine-tuning by the design committee."

The pool committee and Community Center architects Ohlson Lavoie of Denver agreed that the city's subsidy could be lowered by having a well-rounded pool that could be used by competitive swimmers and by people who just want to cool off and play in the water.

If the city uses the agreed-upon design, the pool subsidy would be an estimated $80,000 per year.

In all, the 11,000-square-foot pool is expected to cost around $3.2 million, with $2.1 million for the building and $1.1 million for the pool. Of that money, Friends of the Community Center, a group raising money for the pool, has raised about $1.167 million, a total that includes $750,000 from the city, $100,000 from Alpine Bank and $317,000 from other area businesses and families.

The matter is up for discussion only and no decisions are expected.

Also on the City Council agenda:

A conceptual review will be given Thursday to modify a previously approved 14,750-square-foot, three-story building at 7th and Grand.

The location presently is occupied by two long-standing businesses, Ski and Sport Swap and Charm School Boutique. Once the current building is torn down, Ski and Sport Swap will go out of business and Charm School Boutique will move to the former location of Threads, at 819 Grand Ave.

The applicant for the project, architect Doug Harr, will show council the plans to build a three-story building that will contain two floors of storage and retail uses and the top floor for residential use.

The purchase of a bubble from the Snowmass Club for city tennis courts will be considered. (See related story, page 1.)

Council will consider a request by Glenwood Springs police chief Terry Wilson to use VALE funding to purchase a crime prevention device.

Council will consider raising some law enforcement agency fees on services, animal impoundments and vehicle tows.

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Glenwood's going to skate through summer

With the April 7 closure of the Glenwood Springs Community Center ice rink fast approaching, the recreation staff is now looking forward to summer activities.

The fun in store includes a summer day camp for kids.

The camp will be open to kids in kindergarten up to age 12 at its traditional hub, Glenwood Elementary, and extending to Sopris Elementary this year.

Unlike past summers when the camp was limited to half days just a few days a week, this year's Kid Kamp will run five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for at least nine weeks.

"The main reason I'm trying to push that is so moms and dads can plan on it," parks and recreation director Dan Rodgerson said.

Camp activities will include trips to various places, as well as the use of the Community Center amenities like the climbing wall, the in-line rink, the dance studio and computer lab.

Once the ice melts and the water is drained, the ice rink will be transformed into an in-line skating rink.

"A lot of people have been asking about the ice rink," Rodgerson said.

The schedule will be very similar to the winter schedule, except it will be for in-line skating instead of ice skating, he said.

"We'll try to maintain our public skating schedule, and we may rent Rollerblades," he said. "We're still going to try and keep our Friday night skating."

Other summer activities put on by the Parks and Recreation Department include a hiking series for kids, Anderson Camp, an adventure series featuring spelunking and kayaking, as well as summer road trips to Elitch Gardens and to Rockies games.

For adults, rec staffers are putting together a couples massage class, a flyfishing workshop, a wine tasting, and a horseback ride and dinner at Sunlight Mountain Resort.

Rodgerson said staff is still putting the final touches on the rec department's summer activity catalog, but it should be out around the middle of April. For more information, call the Community Center at 384-6300.

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Glenwood parks and rec hoping to swing ballfields at SES | PostIndependent.com

Glenwood parks and rec hoping to swing ballfields at SES PostIndependent.com: "Glenwood Springs parks officials are hoping to hit a home run with their latest Great Outdoors Colorado grant application.

The application will be tendered to GOCO early next week in an attempt to garner $150,000 for a new project at Sopris Elementary School in South Glenwood Springs.

'The grant application is due on Monday and will be awarded the first week in June,' Parks and Recreation director Dan Rodgerson said. 'If we are notified (of approval) the first week in June, we'll start construction soon after.'

Preliminary plans for the project - a partnership between the parks department and the Re-1 School District - call for an adult baseball field, a kids' baseball field and two soccer fields in their outfields.

Rodgerson, however, noted that these are just preliminary plans.

'We're submitting a grant right now, but later we'll have community input,' he said.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $450,000, but without the grant, there will be only $300,000 available.

'It would be a much more scaled-back project without the GOCO funds,' he said.

The partnership between the city and school district on this project was set up about five years ago.

'The school district had some land but no money. We had resources but no land,' Rodgerson said.

So they decided to merge their resources into something that would be good for everyone.

'I think it's a good marriage,' he said.

If all goes as planned, construction will be done in the fall and the parks will be open next year"


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