The journey to a new Ski Hi Park multi purpose building and convention center has begun. Activities began July 9th and the demolition of the old buildings should be completed by the end of July. Further information on the progress of the project will posted as it becomes available - check out Project Underway!
Please note that fundraising continues.
Please note that fundraising continues.
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The San Luis Valley Ski Hi Complex has been an important part of the entire region since the late 1800's. The table below tracks the construction history of this complex. After the table you will find links for more information about improvement history, current plans for improvement, and future plans.
late 1800's |
Arena and grandstand |
Community volunteers |
early 1900’s |
Arena was improved on a continued basis, but specific dates are not known |
Stampede Committee and volunteers |
1941 |
New Main Grandstand |
W.P.A. Project; cost $98,000 |
1960 |
One story recreational building built using the common wall of the grandstands (cinder block) |
City and community |
1964 |
Removed old wooden bleachers east of main grandstand |
Completed by Stampede Committee and many local volunteers. |
1966 |
New arena, bucking chutes, announcer stand with arena seating |
Completed by Stampede Committee and many local volunteers. |
1966 |
New Bleachers (Sunbowl) |
A majority of the pipe and other materials were second hand. |
1966 |
*Sunbowl bleachers are the un-covered bleacher seating on the north side of the arena. |
City of Monte Vista gave Stampede Committee a long-term lease arrangement based upon in-kind use and cash rent. |
1967 |
Built racetrack for parimutuel horse racing. Tore down old livestock barn (built 1918). Built new stalls adjacent to old (from 29 to 61 stalls) |
Completed by Stampede Committee, Kiwanis, Jaycees, American Legion volunteers using mostly second hand pipe |
1967 |
Dug out old gravel dirt in arena (approx. 18”); brought in new screened and blended soil |
Completed by Stampede Committee and many local volunteers. Southway Construction did a majority of it. |
1969 |
Swimming pool building of concrete cinder block added |
City of Monte Vista |
1985 |
McMullen Building - 100’x100’ metal building with a dirt floor |
Rio Grande County |
1986 |
Two softball fields built |
City of Monte Vista |
2001 |
Replaced seating on Sunbowl Bleachers |
Completed by Stampede Committee and many local volunteers. Used the existing framework; metal seating was new. All new paint. |
2003 |
Re-designed the roping box chute and holding pens. Stampede purchased portable roping chutes and arrow pens which belong to Stampede. |
Completed by Stampede Committee and many local volunteers. Investment in new roping chutes and arrow pens were approximately $5,700. The majority of pipe used to re-design the holding pens was secondhand material from the old racetrack. |
2003 |
Replace arena fence in front of Sunbowl |
Completed by Stampede Committee and local volunteers. |
2006 |
Replaced the horizontal fence in balance of arena with pipe. The vertical posts were left in place and used again. Painted whole arena |
Completed by Stampede Committee and many local volunteers. The pipe used was used/second hand pipe |
2008 |
Replaced old wooden bucking chutes, wood livestock holding areas, and the seating above the bucking chutes, new metal bucking chutes, new metal livestock holding area panels, and new aluminum seating above the bucking chutes. |
Project lead by Stampede Committee in partnership with the City of Monte Vista |
2010 |
Removed old wooden main grandstand which was a W.P.A project in 1941 |
Project lead by Stampede Committee in partnership with the City of Monte Vista |
2013 |
100’x100’ Metal Pavilion Built west of McMullen building |
Rio Grande County |
Current plans (phase 3)- follow the next steps!
The Ski-Hi Complex is a product of many years of hard work and maintenance by local community members and stakeholders to provide a facility that serves the greater San Luis Valley. While the community has put a lot of effort into the complex so far, including the construction of the new grandstands, they are working with an outdated building on the verge of being condemned. This building is unfit for the needs of their community. A group of stakeholders has come forward with the plan to demolish the existing building and build a new facility that will house an event and conference center.
Phase 4 would include a community pool and aquatic center as well as a proposed RV park. No specific time frame for completion of this phase has been determined at this point.
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There are two ways for you or your business to contribute:
This project embodies our past, serves our present, and builds our future!
DONATE ONLINE USING PAYPAL!
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