Letters to the Editor: May 29, 2008

Dear Editor,
I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the Recreation Center remodel. We are nearing having the completed construction documents ready to go out for bid and to start construction. Tentatively, construction will begin after the Fourth of July holiday.
The Recreation Center will need to be totally shut down at some point due to the nature of this remodel. When we initially started this project and passed the bond the original scope of work was to update the mechanical/electrical, new pool filtration system, locker room and a new front entrance are just a few of the projects. Unfortunately, with the lake effect snow we received this year it caused the pool structure and the pool itself to crack in several locations with additional settling of the deep well side of the pool. What this means is the pool has to be totally replaced due to the severity of the movement. This is directly related to the original settling of the building years ago at the southeast side of the pool. This does mean that additional costs will be incurred to replace the pool. It is not known at this time what the project cost will be but the Western Rio Blanco Recreation and Park District board of directors and the staff has applied for a $500,000 DOLA grant (Department of Local Affairs) to offset the additional cost of replacing the pool and will be seeking other revenue sources to make sure this project is completed. The district has also held off in building the skate park and some of the other projects that were originally slated to be completed to insure the funds are available to take care of the most pressing issue which is the pool and the roof over the pool. The swimming pool will be closed June 15 due to staffing constraints.
The Elks Park playground equipment was delivered on May 19. Installation of the equipment began that day also. Please refrain from using the equipment until it is ready to be utilized. Progress of this project will be updated on the district’s Web site www.westernrioblanco.org and it will also be posted in the Herald Times as to when the playground will be ready for use.
Tim Webber
Rangely