I just got this from Miki, and I too grew up skating. I’ve seen other Ark Valley locals in Gunnison skating, as well as Keystone. Go Matt and crew!
-bd
Dear Friends,
Matt Burkley has spearheaded this effort and I’m on board to help. I grew up ice skating and really want it for my son and our community.
If we work together we can do this.
Chaffee County is currently seeking a planning grant from GOCO for the Chaffee County Fairgrounds. This grant would forward the process of expanding use at the 20 acre Fairgrounds and an ice sheet has been suggested as a viable option. County Commissioner Frank Holman has expressed his solid support for the idea. The first step in getting a local ice sheet is to get some ground to put it on. I am meeting with Bob Christiansen today to learn how I can help with the grant language to include this option.
What you should do now:
The county needs letters of support (see below letter sample) for the grant. Talking points for a letter should include how planning for and increasing use at the Fairgrounds benefits the community. Specific reasons why the planning grant (and ice) would benefit local recreation and current skaters who have to travel over 60 miles for a rink. Letters from kids are always a HUGE help.
Thank you!
Miki Hodge 221-3164 mikihodge@gmail.com
Matt Burkley 539-7095 burkley@amigo.net
Tim Brown 221-1115 cambio2@hotmail.com
Address letters as below:
| Great Outdoors Colorado
1600 Broadway, Suite 1650 Denver, CO 80202
Re: Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Planning Grant- Chaffee County Fairgrounds
Dear Grant Review Board
|
NOTE! Letters need to be in by February 24, 2010
S A M P L E L E T T E R
Great Outdoors Colorado
1600 Broadway, Suite 1650
Denver, CO 80202
Re: Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation Planning Grant- Chaffee County Fairgrounds
Dear Grant Review Board:
I am writing in support of an application by Chaffee County for a planning grant to initiate a master plan for improvements to Chaffee County Fairgrounds. I have been a resident of Salida for 14 years and am anxious to see improvements for extended use at the 20–acre facility.
Chaffee County Fairgrounds is an underutilized resource in our county with consistent use only a few months per year. It is literally at the crossroads of several communities and is served by several local trails including a paved walking and cycling path. It could provide year-round opportunities for various outdoor endeavors. Ideas that have been suggested include water features for children, demonstration gardens and/or greenhouses and improved equestrian facilities.
I am most interested in the pursuit of a seasonal, managed ice-skating facility. Residents of Chaffee County presently have access to ice for only a few weeks per year on a natural lake provided it is not covered in snow. In a typical winter, there are at least 20 local people participating in organized ice hockey who are forced to drive 120 miles or more round-trip to participate in leagues in Gunnison, Breckenridge or Pueblo. Many more residents of all ages take advantage of the short window of good ice provided by Frantz Lake. Long distance travel (including mountain passes) makes active league participation by youth impractical.
A managed facility in Chaffee County would allow us to begin adult and youth hockey, figure skating and recreational skating programs similar to most of the mountain towns in this region. This would add a much needed alternative for adult and youth outdoor activities in the winter. Scheduled tournaments and competitions would add an economic boost to local lodging and businesses especially in “shoulder” seasons like early spring.
Regardless of whether our dreams of an ice facility come to fruition, I urge the Board to strongly consider Chaffee County for a planning grant to help us with this process.
Best regards,
I would be happy to write a letter of support for any facility that would further encourage physical activity for Chaffee County residents.
My only thought is, could we do roller sports rather than ice? It seems like there would be less expenses and maintenance related to roller sports and it would be more accessible for target populations who need more affordable recreation opportunities. Thoughts?
Lisa Malde
Director, LiveWell Chaffee County
Can it be solar powered? I googled “solar powered ice rink” and it appears quite possible. As far as roller sports, see my post under “community.” http://salidacitizen.com/2010/02/roller-derby/
Hi,
Please remember to deliver your letters to
Director of General Administration
104 Crestone Avenue (Our County Commissioner Office)
Salida, CO 81201
I know it’s confusing but letters do need to be addressed to Denver, just delivered to our County Office as they are assembling the grant.
This letter request is for the first step of a planning process to initiate improvements at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds a 20 acre parcel and to include a ice rink in the drawings of the site. If we do win the grant that would provide the community an opportunity to really look at what we want at the Fairgrounds. Once a Master Plan is in place we will be able to then move forward with design and further fundraising to build.
I just know that my fiance, who was born and raised in Canada playing ice hockey, was forced to switch to roller hockey when he moved to Colorado. The cost to join an ice hockey league was astronomically higher than roller hockey leagues. In talking to the owner of one of the roller facilities they were able to keep the cost low because they could integrate additional activities with a sport court floor including volleyball leagues and indoor soccer which ice rinks were unable to do. I just think the broader your potential user base might be, the more beneficial it would be to the community.
It’s just something to consider. :)
Lisa
One last thing…I applaud your efforts in moving forward with this grant that will benefit the community no matter what facility would be built! I think the work that every day citizens do to make Chaffee County a better place for it’s residents is sometimes overlooked. Your work is greatly appreciated!
Lisa
This is just wrong. Our schools are BROKE and the lottery goes to the outdoors which is already overfunded by 200%. I think at least 50% of all lottery proceeds ought to go to Colorado schools. We have prisons we cant afford to run, schools we cant afford to run, road potholes to heck and gone, but we spend lotto money on the ‘outdoors’. I think the DOW et al does just a GREAT WODERFUL job, as Officer KW well knows, but GOCO money could be much better used than on unfunded outdoor pursuits. We need to get the law changed… 50% of lotto for schools in CO. Just do it. Now.
In 1992, Coloradans took a major step toward preserving their state’s outdoor heritage by voting to create the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund, which now forms Article XXVII of the Colorado Constitution. The GOCO Amendment dedicates a portion of state lottery proceeds to projects that preserve, protect, and enhance Colorado’s wildlife, parks, rivers, trails, and open spaces.
GOCO receives 50% of the proceeds from the Colorado Lottery, its only source of funding. The remainder of lottery proceeds is divided between the Conservation Trust Fund and ColoradoState Parks. GOCO’s funding is capped at $35 million a year adjusted for inflation; if GOCO’s share exceeds that amount, the remainder goes into the State Public School Fund.
If you think the funding should be spent in other ways, you might want to try to change that. But this is currently a funding source that is available for recreation projects and I think it is great that people are working to get these dollars spent in our community.
Lisa
This effort would hopefully produce a seasonal rink which could double as an inline rink in the off season like they do in Gunnison.
This is very exciting to read as a new young family moving to town. I think an ice or roller rink would be so great for my kids…who just tried ice skating for the first time this winter and loved it. Thanks for your efforts in this area and I look forward to joining the community soon!
Suzy
Several weeks ago I was pulling my trash can up my driveway to the road. I slipped on some ice under the fresh snow and landed flat on my chest, breaking two ribs.
Ice sucks. Come on summer!
But if you want to play on it, be my guest.
Ditto!
oops, meant “Ditto” to Suzy!
I agree with a previous commenter: If just one teacher gets laid off due to imprending budget cutbacks, and we build a play-time skate rink, then I’ll know its time to stick a fork in us and turn us over, cause we’re done.
When some of us non-teachers get laid off I probably will go the rink.
While I agree that funding for schools/teachers etc…is more important, since the GOCO grants are specifically for recreation/outdoor related improvements, I strongly believe a skating facility would be well used and provide other excellent forms of eduction, not to mention exersize which our school kids lack due to our schools budget. Check out what Ice facilities have done for Crested Butte (2 rinks) Gunnison (2 rinks) Alamosa, Durango, Telluride, Grand Junction, Woodland Park, Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen and all over the front range. A facility could attract state and national hockey tournaments, training, education and offer our guests a great winter alternative to Monarch. The new indoor rink in Gunnison has proven extemely sucessful both finacially and in the number of people whom enjoy it. I’ve driven back and forth to Gunnison for the past 10 years, over the pass, along with over 30 players from our area. As the president of the Salida Hockey Cub Team, our roster grows each year from interested folks whom want to play, and want to have their kids play.
Salida could be the leader in building a rink using alternative energy.
Please support this!
I agree. Ice would be very beneficial for the economy of the whole valley. It could be used by BV and Leadville too. It will only enhance the lives of the children in this valley for years to come. If you want more money to go to the schools, then start by getting people who own second homes here or people on fixed incomes to approve tax hikes that are for the schools. GOCO money and school funding are two different subjects. Not every kid in town likes basketball or wrestling. What’s wrong with another option for them so they don’t have to spend their free time vandalizing Holiday Park or whatever it’s called.