WISH LIST

suggested that if the district wanted to expand facilities, it should consider purchasing and retro tting existing vacant buildings within the district rather than building something new.

e two two-hour sessions are the rst of several planned in the next two weeks. Most of those meetings, which will be in person, cover speci c topics such as programs, facilities and special populations. e rec district is interested in all views about what the rec district should or should not be.

By July, the EPRD board hopes to have a completed plan with a list of activities and facilities, their costs and what it can a ord. e board also will decide whether the ask voters in November for a bond to pay for some of the facilities. e board could ask voters to continue paying that money to the rec district for additional facilities.

A community member at one of the Jan. 19 meetings mentioned a bond that will be paid o in 2025.

Chris Dropinski, senior manager with BerryDunn, the consultant hired to facilitate the strategic-planning process, said at the meetings that no decisions had been made, and EPRD o cials were gathering information on what the community wanted the rec district’s focus to be.

In addition to the discovery sessions, the district will conduct a survey and take online comments, plus those in the district’s two rec centers can leave comments there.

“ ere will be competing priorities and limited resources,” Becky Dunlap with BerryDunn said. “We want to be visionary but realistic. ere needs to be a balance between new programs and facilities while also maintaining what we have. We will need community support to move projects forward.” enjoy an evening of whimsical food, drinks, fun, auctions, and dancing to the music of tunisia.

O cials said while they will consider all of the comments they receive, they will not be able to provide everything the community wants.

Attendees suggested that EPRD make decisions based on what facilities and programs would bring the most bene t to the most people, though revenue should not necessarily be the deciding factor. ey suggested looking at alternative funding sources to help pay for some programs and facilities.

Madison & Co. Properties takes great pleasure in introducing Mark Aalund (pronounced ‘Holland’ without the ‘H’) to our Evergreen o ce. Mark grew up in Chicago, vacationed in Colorado as a kid, and moved to Evergreen with his family 28 years ago. Real estate has been in his blood since high school when his mom & step-dad were Realtors & home builders, and he worked odd jobs for them.

Mark loves nding joy in listening to his clients describe their dream home and then helping them discover and purchase their perfect home in the foothills. Each home is a journey and adventure, and he enjoys being the guide.

With the last name like Aalund, he was always rst to get called on in school. ink of Mark as the rst person to call when it’s time to buy or sell your foothills home! Reach him at Mark@ MadisonProps.com or 303-518-9593.