Rangely

Recreation center demolition, remodeling is under way

RANGELY — A year from now, when the Western Rio Blanco Recreation Center reopens, it will be the same building.
Only better.
In fact, it will be like new, said Tim Webber, director of Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District.
That’s thanks to a $7 million remodeling project, which is under way, as of this week.
“I can’t wait to see the finished product,” said Webber, who, along with his staff, was moving out of the offices at the recreation center last week and into temporary quarters at the Early Education Center (EEC).
“What we’re doing with the remodel, when we’re done, is we will have a 30-year-old building, but it will be like a brand new facility that would cost probably $40 million (to build from scratch),” he said.
The remodeling project has been in the works for three years. That’s how long Webber has been the director. He knew, from the first time he set foot in the rec center, the building needed a facelift.
“We still have a very nice facility,” he said. “It just needed to be updated. It’s time.”
Last week, workers were in the process of moving telephone lines. The rec center will have the same phone number during its year-long home at the EEC.
“The rec staff has done a wonderful job, floating between here and there (EEC),” Webber said.
Included in the construction project will be a new pool, along with a hot tub and water slide. There will also be a new roof over the pool. Additionally, the rec center will receive a new front entrance and lobby area, an expanded weight room, new locker rooms and a new, multipurpose meeting room.
Since the time Webber first started researching the remodeling of the rec center, costs have skyrocketed.
“Prices have quadrupled since we first started looking into this,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
The community passed a $5.5 million bond issue last November, which will cover the majority of the price tag. The rec center is also using some of its own reserves to help fund the project. And a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant for $500,000 “put us where we needed to be to do the project,” Webber said.
Part of the bond money, around $100,000, along with another $80,000 DOLA grant, was used to make improvements at Elks Park, such new playground equipment and rubberized surface.
As far as the rec center, it was showing its age.
“We’ve been patching things over the years,” Webber said. “We did the best we could do.”
The contractor for the rec center project is FCI Constructors of Grand Junction.
“That’s the same contractor that built the rec center in Meeker,” Webber said, holding up a four-inch thick project manual.
There will be as many as 40 workers at a time working on site.
“Housing is a huge challenge,” Webber said. “There is none.”
Workers were scheduled to start this week with the first phase.
“Monday the demolition starts,” Webber said. “Dust is going to fly.”
At the same time he has been immersed in the remodeling project, Webber has been busy gearing up for this weekend’s Rangely Septemberfest. But he’s glad the time has finally come for the construction work to begin.
“I knew what I had to do from the get-go,” Webber said. “I’m excited.”

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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