Net gain for Carbondale
Glenwood Springs correspondent
Aspen, CO Colorado
CARBONDALE – Carbondale tennis enthusiasts may have more options for public courts, if a joint town and local school district state grant application is successful.
The town of Carbondale and the Roaring Fork School District Re-1, which includes schools in Carbondale, are applying for a $105,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant to build three new tennis courts at the town’s North Face Park.
The courts would be built on the existing concrete pad next to the skateboard park that was originally built for an in-line hockey rink, but which never got much use for that purpose. They would replace the old tennis courts near Carbondale Middle School (former Roaring Fork High School), which are no longer playable.
The courts are part of a larger $184,000 project that would also include a beginner skateboard park, in addition to the advance park that already exists, plus relocation of several other park facilities to make room for the two new facilities.
“Only two public tennis courts are now available for community and school use in Carbondale [at River Valley Ranch],” states a letter of support for the GOCO grant from the Carbondale Board of Trustees for the GOCO.
“The high school girls’ tennis team must travel 12 miles to Glenwood Springs for their varsity tennis matches,” it continues.
The new courts would be conveniently located near the new Roaring Fork High building.
“The three new tennis courts proposed for construction will meet both the recreational and athletic tennis needs of the community and school district,” the letter concludes.
For their share, the town would contribute $41,000 from its recreation sales tax fund and other sources, while the school district has agreed to contribute $35,000.
Also proposed as part of the grant application is a 1,200-square-foot beginner skate park for younger kids and those just learning the sport.
“There has been such a community demand for this beginner skate park that $1,400 in cash donations has been raised, with additional in-kind materials and labor for the project being secured,” according to the town’s letter.
The town would also designate annual funds for maintenance and upkeep of the new facilities.
The grant application is due by Aug. 27. GOCO funds are derived from a portion of Colorado’s state lottery proceeds.
Aspen City Council approves new tenant contract for Wheeler Opera House gallery
Aspen City Council approved a contract with Daniel Joseph (DJ) Watkins during Tuesday’s regular meeting to move forward with his intentions to operate his proposed “Aspen Collective,” which is currently occupied by Mia Valley’s Valley Fine Art.
