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Incumbents Kent Walter and Travis Mobley were sworn in for three year terms at Tuesday’s ERBM Recreation and Park District board meeting. Members elected to keep all current officers and committee appointments the same. Walter stated it was “an honor” to be selected board president, but also said he was open to having another board member take over the position in the future in order to get some training.
The board discussed their reopening plan under the approved variance request received by Rio Blanco County. Executive Director Sean VonRoenn stated, “It’s commendable we are a county with a variance request that mentions recreation.”
The reopening plan includes various precautions and protocols, including limiting patrons in the fitness room to 13 at any given time, holding fitness classes outside to maintain social distancing, opening the pool to lap swimming or fitness only (no leisure swimming or play features), and having staff members wear masks. Showers will be closed to the public.
The board voted to allow administration to make changes without board approval due to the rapid changes in recommendations. Check with recreation center staff for the latest updates.
POOL CLOSURE
The pool boiler replacement project is on schedule, with a few COVID-related hiccups. According to Maintenance Manager Rodney Gerloff, both boilers are in and pipe work is proceeding, however three heat exchangers have been held up by the shutdowns of manufacturing plants in Italy, which has been particularly hard hit by the virus. Gerloff said if needed, contractor Trane has a potential temporary solution if the parts do not arrive on schedule. “As with any big project, I’m really reluctant to say if we’re gonna be done, but I want to say yes,” Gerloff said in response to a question from Walter regarding the project schedule.
“It’s hard not to have answers, but we’ll push it,” VonRoenn stated.
CIRCLE PARK
The Army Corps of Engineers permit has come through for the Circle Park Pond Project, and District Water Court Division 6 is working through the water right application.
Some work has begun in the area, mostly to construct the road necessary to reach the site. The road extends from the Meeker Cemetery District property down the hill to the current pond location to allow heavy trucks to haul material out. VonRoenn said the project is on-schedule, with Phase 1 work officially beginning June 1 and taking eight to 10 weeks to complete. During this time, access to that area of the river bank will be restricted. The project is projected to be completed by this fall.
other business
• Approved minutes from March 17, April 21 and April 27 meeting
• Approved financials, including $25,000 in membership refunds, $10,000 in program refunds up to this point, and $9,000 in payment plan credits, a total of $44,000 refunded to customers due to COVID-related closures and cancellations
• Discussed the meeting calendar for the board.
• Following regular business, the board went into executive session for VonRoenn’s mid-year performance evaluation.
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UPDATE May 24, 2020, 10:39 a.m. A previous version of this story state the District’s water rights application had been approved, but according to VonRoenn, that application is still working its way through the court. We have corrected the story above. We regret the error.
By CAITLIN WALKER
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