Task force to offer proposal for old elementary school; input encouraged

MEEKER | The Meeker Community Center Task Force will present a detailed proposal Monday for repurposing the old elementary school in downtown Meeker as a community center for youth, adults and seniors.
The public meeting will be at 1 p.m. at the Rio Blanco County Commissioners’ Hearing Room in the Fairfield Center, 200 Main St.
Members of the task force are encouraging area residents to attend to see how the community and county economies can be improved through heritage tourism and entertainment.
Representatives of the Carbondale “Third Street Center” will discuss their successful repurposing of a similar school into a center for non-profit organizations, community groups, small startup businesses and many other opportunities.
Patrick Eidman, the preservation planner from History Colorado, will be present to discuss the powerful economic impact of heritage tourism provided by repurposing historic buildings into useful and attractive venues, as has been done in many other communities.
Grant provider information will be shown that offers substantial funding for such endeavors. Other preservationist and architectural experts will speak on the topic, and a video of the “Third Street Center” will be shown.