August 1, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 9, Issue 10
Survey reflects opinions on rec center Possibilities of new pool, facility near Ralston Road By Sara Van Cleve
‘The $3.1 million City Council has allocated for a center isn’t going to build any of the three alternatives that have been identified.’ Mark Deven, city manager
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com The neighborhood group Citizens for a Livable Ralston Community asked residents of the Ralston Road corridor what type of recreation they’d like to see in the area and the results are in. Radian, an architectural group for community initiatives, was hired by the city of Arvada to conduct a survey in June and put together possible conceptual ideas for a recreation center in the Ralston Road area based on public feedback. On July 24, Yael Nyholm, director of Radian, presented the survey results and the initial concepts for a possible recreation facility. Radian distributed 1,000 surveys in the
Ralston Road area and also put the survey online and on Facebook. A little more than 10 percent of the population, 350 people, responded which is a little more than average for surveys of this kind, Nyholm said. The top three responses, in order, for what type of recreation residents would like to see in the area were an outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a recreation center including, for example, a weight room. Residents near Ralston Road used to be served by Fischer Pool and a recreation center that included an ice arena. Nyholm said the residents that respond-
ed want to see recreational opportunities for the region first, then the city at large as well as opportunities for seniors and youth. Based on the responses, Nyholm presented to a group of residents three possible recreation facility configurations. The first option is a 21,232-square-foot outdoor pool; second is a 29,567-squarefoot outdoor pool and fitness center; and third is a 35,199-square-foot outdoor and indoor pool with a fitness center. All three options also include restrooms and a locker room. The third option, which was popular
among many residents, would provide more opportunities and options during the summer months, Nyholm said. “The $3.1 million City Council has allocated for a center isn’t going to build any of the three alternatives that have been identified,” City Manager Mark Deven said. “The $3.1 million would build a good portion of it, but it wouldn’t build the entire center. Also, we don’t have, at this point, land acquired for this facility … the $3.1 million is really a good-faith, set-aside allocation for a facility, not understanding what would be necessary for the facility, but we felt that we needed to set aside something to meet the needs of this community.” Deven said to acquire the land and build a facility would cost about $7-8 million. Though land has not yet been acquired, the city and the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority are looking into the possibility of building a recreation center on the north side of Ralston Road where Arvada Square is. Survey continues on Page 19
Corrections leaving Colfax Commissioners look for another site for transition program By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com
Sandy Martin, the former director of human services for the city of Arvada as well as other nonprofit organizations, began her role as the new executive director of the Arvada Community Food Bank Aug. 1. Photo by Sara Van Cleve
Food bank welcomes new director Former human services director takes over with fundraising, expansion goals By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews.com For Sandy Martin, becoming the Arvada Community Food Bank’s new executive director is like coming home. “My career has gone full-circle,” Martin said. Martin began her career as the city of Arvada’s first human services director in 1978 and sat on the planning committee for the Arvada Community Food Bank when it was first founded by Interchurch Arms and the city in 1981. “I thought it would be open for a couple
‘For me to go back, it had to be something that captures my whole heart.’ Sandy Martin, executive director years during the recession in the ’80s until the need was taken care of,” Martin said. “We’re here 31 years later and I don’t see the need for food going down.” Martin served as the director of human services 1978 to 1994; she has also served as the executive director for the Jefferson County Head Start program and for Colo-
rado Bright Beginnings. Martin also served as the chief development officer at Warren Village through 2011. In 2011, Martin semi-retired, but was still looking for something she was passionate that would let her help others. “For me to go back, it had to be something that captures my whole heart and something I could live and breathe as an organization,” she said. “I saw the listing for executive director and I said, `This is it.’ I have always loved the food bank. I love Arvada” Martin said she loves that the food bank is supported so greatly by the Arvada community, how wonderful the clients the food bank serves are, and how great the food bank’s 270 volunteers are. “Last year volunteers provided nearly Director continues on Page 19
Jeffco’s Board of County Commissioners announced it abandoned efforts to build a correctional facility near West Colfax and Wide Acres road, and will scout for another location. “We are no longer looking at that site along Wide Acres road for that facility,” said Kathryn Heider, public information officer for Jeffco. The commissioners directed Ralph Schell, county administrator, to suspend the proposed exchange agreement scheduled for approval on Aug. 6 at the next commissioner’s business meeting. The deal received little support by some Jeffco residents, more than 30 of whom attended the commissioners’ meeting on July 23. “Your constituents are very concerned,” said Rob Thorsheim who, like many others in attendance at the commissioner’s meeting, said they felt blindsided by the pending deal and wanted to stop the exchange. Jeffco is looking to build a new 58,000-square-foot corrections facility as part of the county’s Community Corrections Program. The county entered into a land exchange agreement with Colorado Investment and Development Company in 2012. The agreement allowed the company to buy the property at Colfax in order to build a new corrections facility, and then swap the site for the New York Building on Kendall Street, which currently operates as the county’s transition house for released offenders. According to County Commissioner Casey Tighe, the county has no replacement site under consideration at this time. He said the commissioners are reviewing the entire site-selection process.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.