May 6, 2015 VOLU M E 5 4 | I S S UE 1 8 | 7 5 ¢
PikesPeakCourier.net T E L L E R C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Aquatic center to offer multiple benefits By Pat Hill
phill@coloradocommunitymedia.com Basketball, volleyball and running in the water, kayaking, a triathlon opportunity and scuba instruction in the lap pool, with offerings like these, Woodland Aquatic Center could soon be on the map of places to go for adventure. “Obviously, the lap pool is for swimming laps, swim teams, training and competitive swimming, the masters, but we can also use it for water sports,” said Cindy Keating, director of the city’s parks and recreation department. In two public presentations April 30, city officials and board members of the nonprofit Woodland Aquatic Project unveiled a concept plan for the facility- to be located at the south end of Center Street. The leisure pool, for instance, could be used to hold safety programs for the fire department, or for fitness training for residents, Keating said. The therapy pool could also double as a place for youngsters to get acclimated to water, she added. The party room could be used for team meetings and community gatherings as well as birthday and graduation parties, Keating said. “I’m really excited about this!” she said. “We’ve been attending a lot of training and getting great ideas on programming.” However, throughout the years of planning, the WAP board has had the youth and the elderly in mind for the pool, said Gerry Simon, president of the board. “Those are
the folks who don’t necessarily get out hiking, running or biking; these are the people who need swimming for safety reasons and physical activity,” Simon said. “All along it’s been to improve the health and well-being of Woodland Park.” As far as the exterior is concerned, the facility features glass, natural stone and earth tones. “We believe we have an obligation to provide for the community a facility that’s in keeping with our architectural standards,” said city manager David Buttery. “We’re being very careful because we want to ensure that there’s a view of Pikes Peak from the sun deck.” The facility will be available to residents and non-residents, who contribute to the facility with sales-tax dollars, Buttery said. After a year of satisfying infrastructure requirements, construction is expected to begin in May 2016, with an opening around May 2017, Buttery said.
The deal about naming rights While the city has the money and the bonding capacity to build the facility, bonus amenities must come from fundraising from corporations, foundations and individuals, said Steve Jeroslow, board member of Woodland Aquatic Project. The extras might include a baby-changing station, bleachers, ADA lifts for the lap pool, fireplace, diving board, scoreboard or spray pool/toys for children. There are options for each pool. “We hope the leisure pool will become an essential feature, regardless, but if someone wants naming rights we can accommodate
If all goes well with the infrastructure for the Woodland Aquatic Center, the city expects to break ground in the fall. The center is located at the end of Center Street, across the street from Woodland Hardware. Photo by Pat Hill you,” Jeroslow said. “By the way, the estimated value of the leisure pool is almost $800,000.” However, naming rights could be had for about one-third of the entire cost, he added. Or there’s always naming rights to the lap pool for one-third of $940,000. Other options for funding include a climbing wall, flagpole, warm-water therapy pool and a water slide, for instance.
The donor wall For individuals who donate at least $100, their names will be engraved on a donor wall, like the one at Pikes Peak Regional Hospital.
The hospital, the library and the Pavilion were each funded, in part, by individual donors. “The aquatic center is another one of those projects that will substantially improve the quality of life for all of us,” Jeroslow said. “We will actively pursue major foundations such as El Pomar and others.” To get the tax credit, donors can write check to the city of Woodland Park or the Woodland Aquatic Project, a nonprofit organization. To donate online, go to www. Woodlandaquaticproject.org. “We think we’ve created a pool and an aquatic center that the community will be proud of, that will serve our citizens from 3 months old to 100 years,” Buttery said. “That’s our goal, to have a facility that will serve every aspect of our community.”
POSTAL ADDRESS
PIKES PEAK COURIER (USPS 654-460)
OFFICE: 1200 E. Highway 24 Woodland Park, CO 80863 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Teller County, Colorado, the Pikes Peak Courier is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. GE T SOCI AL WITH US
Sheriff Mike Ensminger launched a safe zone last month for the exchange part of shopping on Craigslist. Photo by Pat Hill
Sheriff launches safety zone By Pat Hill
phill@coloradocommunitymedia.com
P LE A S E R ECYC L E T H I S C O PY
To ensure that Teller County residents have a safe place for the exchange part of purchasing through the online Craigslist, Sheriff Mike Ensminger launched a safety zone last month. The zone faces U.S. 24 in the parking at the
sheriff’s office in Divide and is equipped with two cameras on each side of the building. “Seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., people can come and do their exchange and we’ll have them on camera,” Ensminger said. “But the cameras are on 24/7.” While there haven’t been any crimes associated in the county due to the exchanges, Ensminger isn’t taking any chances. “There is a
list of problems and crimes that have occurred with Craigslist, which echoes back almost to the conception,” he said. For the sheriff, the exchange issue hits home. “My wife likes to buy and sell on Craigslist but it is way too scary; I always go with her with the exchange,” he said. “What better place to have the exchange than a law enforcement agency?”