Meeker, Stories

Meeker Library addition looks at late-February opening

Above is the main study area at the new Meeker library, complete with radiant heat in the floors as well as electrical and Internet plugs. The audio/visual lab and three computer labs will be situated in the cubicles on the east wall, and the main room will also have a pull-down screen and projector.
Above is the main study area at the new Meeker library, complete with radiant heat in the floors as well as electrical and Internet plugs. The audio/visual lab and three computer labs will be situated in the cubicles on the east wall, and the main room will also have a pull-down screen and projector.
MEEKER I The new 2,700 square-foot addition to Meeker Library has been a long time coming, but librarian Mike Bartlett is happy to say that the end of the construction is in sight. He said Friday that the contractor told him that it looks that the project will be completed by late February.

“The minute the contractor is out of here, we will be open for business,” Bartlett said. “It will be an exciting day when this is complete and we are fully operational.”
The $900,000 project, when complete, will add roughly 2,700 square feet to the library, with the new area split into two areas of roughly 1,350 square feet each. One half will be a general study room with four study labs and half will be an outdoor courtyard.
The general study room will have four cubicles which will serve as various labs, Bartlett said. One will be a complete audio/visual lab, equipped to enable the making of movies and will contain a 3D printer, which the library already has, a green screen and it should allow the users to make full videos.

Looking from the main study area through the sliding windows that will open into the new courtyard. Outside will be a stage and a garden area with a number of tables and chairs where folks can sit and read, do homework or work on their computers in the sun or shade, as half the courtyard is covered.
Looking from the main study area through the sliding windows that will open into the new courtyard. Outside will be a stage and a garden area with a number of tables and chairs where folks can sit and read, do homework or work on their computers in the sun or shade, as half the courtyard is covered.
“I would like to make historical videos, like for the (Rio Blanco County) Historical Society,” he said. “There is a lot of historical material around here, and this will help the historical society or other groups record that history so it isn’t lost.”
The other three labs off the study room will be classified as computer labs, Bartlett said, adding that the labs will allow the users to download information onto iPhones or they can work in the library addition.
The main study room floor offers radiant heat and the floor is equipped with power outlets and Internet connections. The room will also allow the programming and construction of computers.
There will also be a large projector and screen in the room, Bartlett said.
The courtyard covers roughly 1,350 square feet and roughly half of that is covered. Between the courtyard and the study room is a wall of windows, which will serve as the entryway between the two areas. The windows completely retract into the wall, however, so the windows/wall can be open and closed to be used as a full wall or as a barrier that completely opens to the outside.
The courtyard will feature a stage, and there will be a large planter behind the stage that will be well landscaped, Bartlett said.
“It is a good-sized stage, and it is my hope that it will be well used,” he said. “It is there for nearly anyone’s use; I would love to see jugglers, musicians and minstrels passing through utilize the stage. It has multiple uses and, hopefully, folks will find some creative activities to utilize it.”
The courtyard will also have benches and tables and allow the users of the library to just go out and enjoy it.
“It should offer a great place to relax, to play games, to study and to talk,” Bartlett said.“Libraries have a tendency at times to make folks self-conscious or make talking and discussions a bit too restrained. We want the folks to feel comfortable and free to talk or hold discussions, and I think that will be a benefit of the finished areas.
The library has roughly 50,000 volumes of books and periodicals on hand now, and the addition will not affect the existing library, he said.
The $900,000 addition is being funded totally within the library district, Bartlett said.
“This addition will be great for those who utilize the library, and we are quite confident that the new uses will bring many more people to the library, which can be closed off from the addition to allow the addition to be used whenever the library is closed,” he said.
“And the best part is, the library district has the funding for the addition, so we will not need to ask for any added tax dollars.”

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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
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  • More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
  • The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
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The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
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View on Instagram |
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Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
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