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members or event rentals)

• Classrooms/ ex space (exercise space, yoga, lifelong learning)

• Outdoor covered lounge

• Outdoor kitchen and grill

• Space to host outdoor movie nights

Also from the survey, residents were able to write comments and make suggestions. Below are several comments from residents and what they would like to see.

• A place to make new friends and gather with familiar faces for a cup of co ee, an afternoon meal or perhaps a movie night.

• A place to stretch our legs … and backs and shoulders while we are at it!

• A place to show o your gardening skills or toss a horseshoe or two … or maybe try out this new pickleball fad!

• Maybe a place to watch a Bronco game with friends.

• A home away from home.

• A place to prepare meals, for those unable to leave their homes, as well as those who can.

• Maybe a place to learn how to cook healthy meals for just one or two.

• A growing community needs to serve residents of all ages and perhaps the larger space could be used by other residents of the county for receptions, reunions, weddings.

• An indoor and outdoor place where the great weather of the area invites us outside.

Designs

Lead architect Wood and his students presented several designs of potential buildings for the center, all with di erent layouts and amenities. Elizabeth locals provided feedback on each of the designs, citing which they liked best and how to improve certain aspects of the layouts.

“ e bathrooms that are in the back, there are a lot of turns there to get around with wheelchairs,” said one resident in attendance.

Another stated: “Personally, I think all three of the designs are too cut up. What do we need all these little rooms for? To me it doesn’t look senior conducive.”

A resident asks questions about one of the potential layouts of an Elizabeth community center.

Others commented on the general concept and the exterior designs.

“I personally think Elizabeth is about the Western way of life and I like design C. I think that it is very compatible to what we see around here regularly,” said one woman in attendance. “I don’t know if I like white though.”

Wood responded that the town could paint it whatever color they like. His comment was met with laughs.

Location and timeline roughout the course of the meeting, several other important topics were discussed. ese topics included location and timeline, funding, working with county groups and how to deal with water.

Currently there is no designated location for the potential senior facility, though the town is hoping to have it located near the Elizabeth branch of the Pines and Plains Library system. Based on survey results and focused community meetings, the planning committee will determine how much space the facility should need. From there, a location will be set.

SEE CENTER, P10

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Douglas County celebrates the diverse contributions, capacity and value of our residents with developmental disabilities. Thank you for what you bring to our community. This month, the Board of County Commissioners is formally recognizing these residents’ contributions and commending the community organizations, agencies and programs that support them throughout the year. For more information visit douglas.co.us and search for Developmental Disabilities

Nominate a special teenager for a 2023 Youth Initiative Award

Do you know a Douglas County teenager, between the ages of 13 and 19, who has overcome adversity and created positive change in their lives, as well as the lives of others? Nominate them for a 2023 Douglas County Outstanding Youth Award by March 3. Visit douglas.co.us and search Youth Awards

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meetings via live stream, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings / Public Hearings.

According to Town Administrator Patrick Davidson and Wood, the general timeline for completion, should the project move forward, would be within the frame of three to ve years.

“I am a homeschooling mom with elementary kids. I have watched homeschooling explode after the pandemic. I love this because it will likely be right by the library,” said one resident in attendance. “One of the programs we want to start is where the children who are learning to read will read to the seniors. It is a perfect program to work with the library too.”

Funding

A big question for residents is how the project would be funded. e Town of Elizabeth received a $5,000 grant through the Colorado Department of Local A airs to facilitate the planning of the project. Other funding for the potential space will come from grants and town savings.

“I’m going to be asking the state to fund it. I’m going to be asking for the federal government to fund it. I’m going to be asking for private donations to help fund it,” said Davidson. “I’m going to ask big companies if they want to assist. We’ll have telehealth, so I’m going to get ahold of UCHealth and see if we can name a room after them. We have some very high-level conversations with the VA. ey would be willing to put in, especially for counseling, check-ins, and things like that.”

County collaboration

One man in attendance questioned whether the town had already reached out to the re department and other county organizations to prepare for the potential new community and senior activity center. Currently, the Town of Elizabeth is working with several local and county groups to help make this project a reality.

“ e county is aware,” said Davidson. “Each county commissioner has been invited to come to the meetings. e metro districts are aware that we are in this process. I’ve reached out to them as well. Working with the re department is where we got the idea to seek FEMA funding for the purposes of backup generators, assisting in the kitchen. is would be a shelter-in-place location. We’ve talked to both the state and national organizations on what that would look like.”

Dealing with water

Lastly, a growing concern of residents is the availability of water around the town and the greater Denver area. One graduate architect student, Michelle Lazarz, addressed this concern, stating her desire to implement xeriscaping around the potential community center. Xeriscaping is a water-conscious approach to landscaping that reduces perennials are happy in xeric conditions and require low to moderate irrigation during the rst few years of establishment. After that, many only require irrigation during periods of

Thu 3/09

Flag Football: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2023 @ 12:30am

Mar 9th - May 6th

Auburn Hills Community Park, 11682 Brad‐bury Ranch Rd., Parker

Soccer: Kinder - Ages 4 to 6Spring 2023 @ 12:30am

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Auburn Hills Community Park, 11682 Brad‐bury Ranch Rd., Parker

Fri 3/10

Soup @ 5pm Coronado Elementary School, 7922 S Carr St, Littleton

Donny Benet @ 8pm

Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Englewood

Sun 3/12

The King Stan Band in Paradise @ 7pm Paradise Tavern, 9239 Park Mead‐ows Dr, Lone Tree

Preservation Hall Jazz Band @ 6pm

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

Dave Mensch - Tailgate Tavern - Parker, CO @ 11am

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Camp: Creature Creator Robotics (5-12yrs) @ 2pm

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Modern Swing Mondays @ 5pm / $10

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Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

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Trouble Bound: Trouble

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Dirty Side Down Band: Dirty Side

Down @ Green�elds @ 8pm Green�elds Pool & Sports Bar, 3355 S Yarrow St E101, Lakewood

Ninety Percent 90s @ 8pm Studio@Mainstreet, 19604 Mainstreet, Parker

Sat 3/11

Scott Fowler Music: Scott Fowler @ 2 Penguins Tap & Grill @ 6pm 2 Penguins Tap and Grill, 13065 E Briar‐wood Ave, Centennial

Grif�n House @ 7:30pm

The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

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Moab Photography Trip @ 11pm / $375

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Valor Christian High School - Academic Building, 3775 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch. 303-471-3000

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Den‐ver

Cousin Curtiss @ 7pm Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver