New Clerk Hired; Outdoor Pool Facility Opened for Summer
Rick Langenberg
For a small town with big aspirations, Green Mountain Falls has again hit a grant jackpot that could allow the community to proceed with a number of pending projects.
Still, the town has a long way to go to meet significant capital needs that now exceed $21 million. Unfortunately, this gap could even widen with the freezing up of federal monies.
But at least for this year, the town is making strides for several smaller, highly touted pursuits that have never quite moved forward, and could open the door slightly for GMF’s aspirations in attracting more visitors.
In his monthly newsletter, Mayor Todd Dixon announced that the town has become the recipient of a $70,089 award from a “Fishing is Fun” grant, through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the Gazebo Lake project. This will pave the way for upgrading restrooms, so anglers can use the lake facility year-round. The mayor noted that this will include heat and hot water, as well as upgrading the wastewater system. “We are hopeful that the work can commence on this project in the fall. I just want to say ‘thank you’ to Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” said Dixon in his newsletter.
The lake is currently available for summer fishing. During the winter it can used for ice fishing, ice skating and hockey. The restroom project will undoubtably open the facility up more on a year-round basis. For the last two seasons, the lake has become a new more convenient hub for ice fishing buffs, who in the past often had to travel all the way to Manitou Lake or Eleven Mile Reservoir to partake in this popular activity.
The subject of less than desirable public restrooms in the lake area has become a touchy subject, not to mention a costly endeavor.
The Kirkpatrick Family Fund, which has benefitted GMF in the past, has awarded the town $95,000 for several specific needs. These include $45,000 for highway wayfinding signage, $30,000 for the beatification of the Stilling Basin (Hotel Park) area and $20,000 for renovations to the old marshal’s office in the center of town. In his newsletter, Dixon thanked the Kirkpatrick Family Fund benefactors for these donations. All of the above-mentioned projects have been the subject of much discussion in recent months.
In a small way, the grants could enhance the appearance and access to the community. The Hotel Park area funds are part of the first stage of a plan to beatify an area, overlooking the town, which got turned into an eyesore due to a major, mandated infrastructure-related project, aimed at improving the sediment flow at the lake. Residents rallied for months over consultant-based recommendations and plans for the area, including the installment of a guard rail that turned into quite a contentious issue.
The renovations at the old marshal’s office also have attracted much attention, with town officials eying feasible uses for the old historic cop shop. The renovation of the old marshal’s office, though, won’t come cheap. But like the Stilling Basin project, this bid has attracted much community interest.
In addition, GMF has announced the opening of its summer pool, which will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. But unlike last year, this time a user fee will be assessed. The town had mulled a donation policy or making it free for locals. But these ideas never quite worked financially.
The GMF pool, which can now be rented out on an hourly basis, will also feature some concessions this year.
However, similar to most municipal pool projects in Colorado communities, this facility is a not a money-maker.
In other government announcements, the mayor has reported that the town may soon have a new clerk on board. The current clerk/treasurer, Bo Ayad, will soon be stepping down to attend to some important family obligations. The Teller resident has manned this office for several years.
Dixon announced that the position will be filled by Nicole Woods, who plans to take charge of the clerk’s office on June 9.
And in other community news, the town will sport a firefighter appreciation day on June 14, sponsored by the fire mitigation committee. The event will be held at the GMF/Chipita Park Fire Station, and will feature hot dogs, brats and ice cream.
In addition, the 17th annual Green Box Arts Festival will begin on June 27. This several week event is loaded with live performances, art displays and classes.
