The Steamboat Pilot & Today

The Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Commission thinks it is time to ask voters for a city-owned recreation center.

The commission, a recommending body to the Steamboat Springs City Council, has sent a memo to the council seeking advice on how to move forward with a ballot initiative in November.

The council will hear a presentation tonight on recreation center possibilities. The council meets at 5 p.m. in Centennial Hall.

The council also will provide feedback to the Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Association on its pre-application to expand the Old Town Hot Springs. The association -- a private, nonprofit organization -- wants to create indoor pools and a new outdoor pool at the facility.

Both the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Health and Recreation Association board are seeking indoor pools.

Consultants Ballard King & Associates will give tonight's recreation center presentation. The group has completed a feasibility study for a possible recreation center in Steamboat.

The Parks and Recreation Commission proposes that the city build two phases of the center. If completed, that building would include: youth and teen facilities, a multi-purpose room and kitchen, a double gymnasium, an elevated running track, an indoor lap and leisure pool, locker rooms and support spaces. The cost of both phases is estimated at $19.2 million.

The Health and Recreation Association's proposal includes creating a new building that would go where the existing lap and leisure pools are now; inside would be new lap and leisure pools. The association also proposes renovations to its building and to the hot springs pools. The project would cost an estimated $13 million to $16 million; association officials have said that the organization would need the city's financial assistance to complete the project.

In other business, the council will:

Hear updates on the Area Plan Coordinating Committee, intergovernmental services, financial services and the interim city manager.

Review a resolution establishing the 2006 payment-in-lieu option for the city's affordable housing ordinance.

Conduct a first reading of an ordinance approving a contract to buy and sell real estate between the city of Steamboat Springs and the East Routt Library District.

Review a development plan for an addition of retaining walls and parking lot at First National Bank.

Conduct a second reading of an ordinance vacating a strip of Rockies Way.

Conduct a second reading of an ordinance approving the Howelsen Hill Park Concession Agreement.