As you may know, in September 2008 we received a $442,000 grant from the Department of Local Affairs to remedy the hot water transmission line. We have been working with engineers from Schmuesser Gordon Meyer and local surveyor Bob Biglow to design a transmission line that will deliver water to the Aquatic Center between 110 and 120 degrees. Work is progressing and we anticipate being able to bid this project out later this spring.

Restoring hot water to the Aquatic Center will reestablish the facility as the icon it once was, drawing tourists and locals to swim and soak in our unparalleled water.

The second project involves reopening the locker rooms in the east wing. Structural issues with the east-wing roof forced us to close the locker rooms two years ago. These structural issues prevent us from simply putting a new roof on or even from replacing the roof entirely.

We have created a plan that allows us to reopen the locker rooms in the short term, and, in the long term, provide the community with a usable pavilion for community gatherings.

The solution entails building a post and beam structure over the east wing that will protect the existing roof thereby allowing us to safely reopen the locker rooms.

Ultimately, our plans call for new locker rooms on the west side of the building. When funding is available, we will tear down the west wing and build new locker rooms, new hot baths, a new lobby and a multi-purpose room for classes and meetings. Once this is completed and we no longer need the locker rooms on the east side, they will be torn down, leaving our post and beam structure for community events such as family and high school reunions, annual company parties and birthday parties.

The post and beam project is going out to bid next week, with bids due on Wednesday, February 25. To obtain a bid package, contractors can contact Schmuesser Gordon Meyer at 970-349-5355. Work will commence this spring and we plan to have the locker rooms reopened before summer.

I want to be clear that we are not planning to spend tremendous amounts of capital on renovating the existing locker rooms. Again, plans call for these locker rooms to ultimately be torn down. While we’d love shiny, new locker rooms, spending a lot of money to upgrade something that will be torn down is not a sound use of tax-payer dollars. Our goal is to reopen the locker rooms as they are more user friendly than our current changing rooms, and continue to work towards funding appropriate, new locker rooms and hot baths to the west as part of our master plan.

Trish Bews, Director of the Salida Recreation Department

Ah, the holidays are upon us once again!  Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten, Christmas Mountain USA has been lighted, and most of us are looking forward to the December festivities.  This is usually an exciting time for children; whether they are awaiting Santa’s arrival, looking forward to Christmas goodies, or just excited to be out of school for awhile!  Salida Recreation has several programs to help create a fun and celebratory atmosphere and I hope you and your kids will join us for one or several events.

The first program coming up is hopefully our Ski Bus to Monarch.  We will be running the ski bus every Saturday (starting when Monarch opens) through March 14th. The cost is only $5/person.  The bus meets and drops off at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center.  Riders must be at least 10 years old to ride alone; otherwise they must be accompanied by an adult.  The bus leaves in the morning at 8:30am SHARP and then leaves Monarch at 3:30pm SHARP.  This is NOT a chaperon service, so please make sure your kids are responsible enough to handle being at Monarch on their own if you plan to let them ride solo.

For the younger set, Parents’ Night Out is on Saturday, December 13th. This program at the Salida Scout Hut is geared toward kids ages 5-8 and will take place from 5-7pm.  This is a chance to drop the kids off for some fun and games while you take some time to get a few things done downtown!  Cost is $7 per child and pre-registration is required!  On Monday, December 15th, we will be offering a Holiday Cookie Decorating program for the little guys ages 3-5.  Come by the Salida Senior Center from 10-11:30am to play with sugar cookies, frosting, sprinkles and more!  No pre-registration is necessary; cost is $5/child.

If your tree needs a few more decorations leading up to the big day, Ornament Creation on Saturday, December 20th is just the ticket.  Kids ages 5-10 are invited to come to the Salida Senior Center from 1-3pm to construct several different kinds of ornaments with the supplies we will have on hand.  This popular program always has the kids leaving with fun take-home masterpieces!  Cost is $5/child and no registration is necessary prior to the event.  Finally we have a holiday field trip for kids ages 8+.

Join Salida Recreation and Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County for a trip to the Breckenridge Recreation Center on Monday, December 22nd.  The bus will depart at 10am and we will return around 5pm.  The cost is $20/person which includes transportation and admission.  Be sure your kids bring their swimming gear, tennis shoes, and a lunch.  We need at least 15 kids registered to make this trip go, so sign up today!

For more information on all programs call 539-5703 or 539-6738, or email salidarecreation@yahoo.com.  To register call or stop by the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center!  Visit the SalidaRec.com website, for information about the Salida Recreation Department, and SalidaPool.com for information about events at the Hot Springs Aquatic Center.

Have a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you and the kids out and about!