Overview of the Project
Overview
Project Overview:
The goal of this project is to continue progress on the multi-phase renovation of the San Luis Valley Ski-Hi Park Complex in Monte Vista, Colorado, according to the master plan completed in 2007. To date, several phases have been accomplished.
Now the community is coming together to implement Phase 3 of the Master Plan. This phase is to build a new multi-use event and conference building, requiring demolition of the existing, outdated multi-use event building and unusable indoor swimming pool. The Ski-Hi Park complex is an essential facility for many local and regional educational, cultural, social, recreational, and safety activities. It has long served as an anchor facility for the San Luis Valley community and its renovation is vital to the future health and prosperity of the region.
This project is especially urgent now. In early 2018, the City of Monte Vista closed the event center for potential safety issues. This would have negatively affected a number of scheduled 2018 events. With further analysis, it was determined that the building could be safely used for a short time frame (3 to 7 years) until something new could be built. There is no other complex in the San Luis Valley that can house the size and type of events that are currently held at Ski-Hi. Furthermore, there is no conference area in the San Luis Valley large enough to hold banquets. The Adams State University campus in Alamosa can and does accommodate some events, but its facilities are not always available due to the university’s own use.
Friends of Ski-Hi are very concerned that the existing facility could be condemned at some point in the near future if something is not done to correct the current safety issues. The current building is aging and its infrastructure and construction materials are outdated and expensive to maintain. It is the consensus of all that it would be more cost effective to replace the existing building, rather than try to renovate it. Even if repairs were made to the current building, it would still be an old and poorly designed facility with outdated and aging infrastructure. Another factor contributing to the urgency is the large size of this project and the very tight estimated budget. If the project were delayed for even another year so that major events are not impacted, the cost estimate could escalate a minimum of 15-20 percent because of volatile factors such as the price of steel, electrical and plumbing materials, and hauling costs according to the contractor.
Ski Hi Complex Overview:
The San Luis Valley Regional Ski-Hi Park Complex encompasses approximately 34 acres in Monte Vista, Colorado. This complex consists of a large multi-use event building with one basketball court, an old and now unusable indoor swimming pool, which was closed in 2005, large outdoor grandstands with rodeo arena (renovated in 2008-2010), a large indoor metal building with a dirt floor, a large pavilion suitable for riding horses or other activities such as an ice skating rink in winter months (built in 2013), two softball fields that double as flag-football fields in the fall, and a very large undeveloped area that is used for parking, displays and carnivals. The City of Monte Vista owns the land, multi-use building and swimming pool, ball parks, and rodeo arena with grandstands. Rio Grande County has a long-term lease on a couple of acres on which it built an indoor 100 ’x 100’ multi-use building with a dirt floor and a 100’ x 100’ multi-use pavilion for community use.
The complex is used for educational, cultural, social, and recreational purposes. Because this is a rural farming and ranching area, many activities are outdoor and agriculturally oriented such as fairs, festivals, and trade shows. These events teach western heritage and responsibility, highlight the community’s natural resources, and promote the many values and principles important to rural Colorado and Colorado as a whole. We value our way of life and aim to share the “cowboy code of ethics,” based upon the principles of honesty, integrity, loyalty, responsibility, and courage.
The complex is also designated as a San Luis Valley Emergency Shelter and San Luis Valley Mass Casualty Center. It has been used twice during wildfire situations to move and shelter people and animals. As with many areas in the United States, catastrophic wildfires are becoming more the norm in communities surrounded by National Forests. Though we have not experienced a mass casualty event, our local governments and other agencies plan and prepare for that day should it happen. When Rio Grande County built the large pavilion, enough livestock panels were purchased for it to be designated as a large animal shelter in case of emergency needs. The complex currently also serves as a commodity distribution center for low income residents and is administered by the local religious community. Rio Grande County Social Services would consider utilizing the complex for its Commodity Supplemental Program (CSP) for the elderly if the facility was revitalized.
San Luis Valley Overview
The San Luis Valley (SLV or Valley) includes six counties in south central Colorado. Surrounded by high mountains, it is the world’s largest high-altitude valley where controlled crops can grow, with large acreages of alfalfa hay, malting barley, potatoes, lettuce/spinach, and recently industrial hemp. The elevation of the Valley’s floor ranges from 7,500 to 8,000 feet above sea level and it is roughly 70 miles from east to west, and 120 miles north to south (about the size of New Jersey). The Valley is surrounded to the west, north and east by high mountains, with the San Juan mountain range on the west and the Sangre de Cristo range on the east. Transportation in and out of the Valley involves going over mountain passes to the north, east, and west; only the road to the going south to New Mexico does not have a high pass to traverse.
The population of the Valley is approximately 46,600. The largest city in the Valley is Alamosa, which is home to Adams State University and Trinidad State Junior College. The second largest community in the Valley is Monte Vista. The Valley economy is predominantly agricultural in nature, and the region is one of the poorest rural areas in Colorado, including five counties in the bottom ten: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache. The median household income for the Valley is $37,443, while the State of Colorado average is $65,458. More than 21.6 percent of the people live below the poverty line compared to 11.5 percent of the State of Colorado.
The City of Monte Vista (in Rio Grande County) is a community of about 4,200 people and is located in the heart of the San Luis Valley. The city boasts a long and colorful history and is strongly influenced by agriculture, which is Monte Vista’s primary industry. The community is also involved in recreation of all types, but particularly recreation that is related to agricultural and rural lifestyles. Farming trade shows, tractor pulls, outdoor recreation and hunting expos, horse shows, regional county fairs, rodeos including the world-famous Ski-Hi Stampede Rodeo, which is Colorado’s Oldest Professional Rodeo, and other agricultural-based activities are all important to residents of the Valley. Team sports such as softball, baseball, volleyball, pickleball, football, basketball, and soccer are also important activities.
The economy of Monte Vista and the entire San Luis Valley is well below state and national averages, as noted above. Monte Vista’s median household income is $35,282 or 53.9 percent of the state average of$65,458. Additionally, more than 21.3 percent of the population lives below the poverty line compared to the State’s 11.5 percent. In 2007 when the Ski-Hi Complex Master Plan was completed and the community began to implement the renovations, Monte Vista’s population was 15 percent below the poverty line. Thus, the economy is trending in the wrong direction and the gap is getting wider compared to the rest of the State.
Project Overview:
The goal of this project is to continue progress on the multi-phase renovation of the San Luis Valley Ski-Hi Park Complex in Monte Vista, Colorado, according to the master plan completed in 2007. To date, several phases have been accomplished.
Now the community is coming together to implement Phase 3 of the Master Plan. This phase is to build a new multi-use event and conference building, requiring demolition of the existing, outdated multi-use event building and unusable indoor swimming pool. The Ski-Hi Park complex is an essential facility for many local and regional educational, cultural, social, recreational, and safety activities. It has long served as an anchor facility for the San Luis Valley community and its renovation is vital to the future health and prosperity of the region.
This project is especially urgent now. In early 2018, the City of Monte Vista closed the event center for potential safety issues. This would have negatively affected a number of scheduled 2018 events. With further analysis, it was determined that the building could be safely used for a short time frame (3 to 7 years) until something new could be built. There is no other complex in the San Luis Valley that can house the size and type of events that are currently held at Ski-Hi. Furthermore, there is no conference area in the San Luis Valley large enough to hold banquets. The Adams State University campus in Alamosa can and does accommodate some events, but its facilities are not always available due to the university’s own use.
Friends of Ski-Hi are very concerned that the existing facility could be condemned at some point in the near future if something is not done to correct the current safety issues. The current building is aging and its infrastructure and construction materials are outdated and expensive to maintain. It is the consensus of all that it would be more cost effective to replace the existing building, rather than try to renovate it. Even if repairs were made to the current building, it would still be an old and poorly designed facility with outdated and aging infrastructure. Another factor contributing to the urgency is the large size of this project and the very tight estimated budget. If the project were delayed for even another year so that major events are not impacted, the cost estimate could escalate a minimum of 15-20 percent because of volatile factors such as the price of steel, electrical and plumbing materials, and hauling costs according to the contractor.
Ski Hi Complex Overview:
The San Luis Valley Regional Ski-Hi Park Complex encompasses approximately 34 acres in Monte Vista, Colorado. This complex consists of a large multi-use event building with one basketball court, an old and now unusable indoor swimming pool, which was closed in 2005, large outdoor grandstands with rodeo arena (renovated in 2008-2010), a large indoor metal building with a dirt floor, a large pavilion suitable for riding horses or other activities such as an ice skating rink in winter months (built in 2013), two softball fields that double as flag-football fields in the fall, and a very large undeveloped area that is used for parking, displays and carnivals. The City of Monte Vista owns the land, multi-use building and swimming pool, ball parks, and rodeo arena with grandstands. Rio Grande County has a long-term lease on a couple of acres on which it built an indoor 100 ’x 100’ multi-use building with a dirt floor and a 100’ x 100’ multi-use pavilion for community use.
The complex is used for educational, cultural, social, and recreational purposes. Because this is a rural farming and ranching area, many activities are outdoor and agriculturally oriented such as fairs, festivals, and trade shows. These events teach western heritage and responsibility, highlight the community’s natural resources, and promote the many values and principles important to rural Colorado and Colorado as a whole. We value our way of life and aim to share the “cowboy code of ethics,” based upon the principles of honesty, integrity, loyalty, responsibility, and courage.
The complex is also designated as a San Luis Valley Emergency Shelter and San Luis Valley Mass Casualty Center. It has been used twice during wildfire situations to move and shelter people and animals. As with many areas in the United States, catastrophic wildfires are becoming more the norm in communities surrounded by National Forests. Though we have not experienced a mass casualty event, our local governments and other agencies plan and prepare for that day should it happen. When Rio Grande County built the large pavilion, enough livestock panels were purchased for it to be designated as a large animal shelter in case of emergency needs. The complex currently also serves as a commodity distribution center for low income residents and is administered by the local religious community. Rio Grande County Social Services would consider utilizing the complex for its Commodity Supplemental Program (CSP) for the elderly if the facility was revitalized.
San Luis Valley Overview
The San Luis Valley (SLV or Valley) includes six counties in south central Colorado. Surrounded by high mountains, it is the world’s largest high-altitude valley where controlled crops can grow, with large acreages of alfalfa hay, malting barley, potatoes, lettuce/spinach, and recently industrial hemp. The elevation of the Valley’s floor ranges from 7,500 to 8,000 feet above sea level and it is roughly 70 miles from east to west, and 120 miles north to south (about the size of New Jersey). The Valley is surrounded to the west, north and east by high mountains, with the San Juan mountain range on the west and the Sangre de Cristo range on the east. Transportation in and out of the Valley involves going over mountain passes to the north, east, and west; only the road to the going south to New Mexico does not have a high pass to traverse.
The population of the Valley is approximately 46,600. The largest city in the Valley is Alamosa, which is home to Adams State University and Trinidad State Junior College. The second largest community in the Valley is Monte Vista. The Valley economy is predominantly agricultural in nature, and the region is one of the poorest rural areas in Colorado, including five counties in the bottom ten: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache. The median household income for the Valley is $37,443, while the State of Colorado average is $65,458. More than 21.6 percent of the people live below the poverty line compared to 11.5 percent of the State of Colorado.
The City of Monte Vista (in Rio Grande County) is a community of about 4,200 people and is located in the heart of the San Luis Valley. The city boasts a long and colorful history and is strongly influenced by agriculture, which is Monte Vista’s primary industry. The community is also involved in recreation of all types, but particularly recreation that is related to agricultural and rural lifestyles. Farming trade shows, tractor pulls, outdoor recreation and hunting expos, horse shows, regional county fairs, rodeos including the world-famous Ski-Hi Stampede Rodeo, which is Colorado’s Oldest Professional Rodeo, and other agricultural-based activities are all important to residents of the Valley. Team sports such as softball, baseball, volleyball, pickleball, football, basketball, and soccer are also important activities.
The economy of Monte Vista and the entire San Luis Valley is well below state and national averages, as noted above. Monte Vista’s median household income is $35,282 or 53.9 percent of the state average of$65,458. Additionally, more than 21.3 percent of the population lives below the poverty line compared to the State’s 11.5 percent. In 2007 when the Ski-Hi Complex Master Plan was completed and the community began to implement the renovations, Monte Vista’s population was 15 percent below the poverty line. Thus, the economy is trending in the wrong direction and the gap is getting wider compared to the rest of the State.
Quick Facts |
Monte Vista |
SLV |
State |
USA |
Population |
4,179 |
46,578 |
5,609,445 |
324 million |
Median Household Income |
$35,282 |
$37,443 |
$65,458 |
$63,179 |
Median House Value |
$107,900 |
$158,717 |
$286,100 |
$231,000 |
% population below poverty line |
21.3 |
21.6% |
11.5% |
11.8% |
Hispanic |
61.34% |
42.9% |
21.3% |
17.8% |
Non-Hispanic |
38.66% |
57.1% |
78.7% |
82.2% |
The San Luis Valley communities have come together for years to collaborate and form partnerships in many areas. Cooperation is a necessity to accomplish community goals, due to the remote location, physical constraints, and low-income population. These cohesive working relationships have allowed the Valley to move forward and leverage the small amount of funds available to achieve successful initiatives in many areas such as land and water conservation, water infrastructure restoration, public health, and public safety, to name a few.
San Luis Valley Regional Use of the Ski-Hi Complex
The Ski-Hi Regional Use Complex has long served all citizens in the San Luis Valley in some manner- from the San Luis Valley Fair, the San Luis Valley Ski-Hi Stampede, the Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference and Trade Fair, the Monte Vista Crane Festival, the Shriner Circus, the SLV Farm Safety Days, Octoberfest, and many more.
The complex is located on Sherman Avenue on the eastern side of Monte Vista. Sherman Avenue is a main road off of Highway 160. About ⅛ mile off the Highway, it has good sight exposure and excellent accessibility by cars, mass transit, walking, and bicycles. Highway 160 is the main east-west thoroughfare across the San Luis Valley, and has significant resident, visitor, and commercial traffic. From a Valley regional-use aspect, Monte Vista is in the center of the San Luis Valley. Highways 160 and 285 intersect in downtown Monte Vista. All communities in the Valley have good proximity and major highway accessibility to the complex. It is approximately 17 miles from Alamosa, the largest town in the Valley, thus a quick and easy access.
Percentage of Use by County Residents Per Event
San Luis Valley Regional Use of the Ski-Hi Complex
The Ski-Hi Regional Use Complex has long served all citizens in the San Luis Valley in some manner- from the San Luis Valley Fair, the San Luis Valley Ski-Hi Stampede, the Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference and Trade Fair, the Monte Vista Crane Festival, the Shriner Circus, the SLV Farm Safety Days, Octoberfest, and many more.
The complex is located on Sherman Avenue on the eastern side of Monte Vista. Sherman Avenue is a main road off of Highway 160. About ⅛ mile off the Highway, it has good sight exposure and excellent accessibility by cars, mass transit, walking, and bicycles. Highway 160 is the main east-west thoroughfare across the San Luis Valley, and has significant resident, visitor, and commercial traffic. From a Valley regional-use aspect, Monte Vista is in the center of the San Luis Valley. Highways 160 and 285 intersect in downtown Monte Vista. All communities in the Valley have good proximity and major highway accessibility to the complex. It is approximately 17 miles from Alamosa, the largest town in the Valley, thus a quick and easy access.
Percentage of Use by County Residents Per Event
County |
% Use SLV Fair |
% Use Ski-Hi Stampede Participants |
% Use Ag Trade Confer. Vendors |
% Use Ag Trade Confer. Participants |
% Use Crane Fest |
% Use Shrine Circus |
Alamosa |
33% |
34% |
20% |
18.5% |
Many |
Many |
Conejos |
22% |
22% |
0% |
17.3% |
Many |
Many |
Costilla |
1% |
0% |
0% |
4.5% |
Many |
Many |
Mineral |
3% |
2% |
0% |
0.6% |
Many |
Many |
Rio Grande |
31% |
17% |
36% |
24.6% |
Many |
Many |
Saguache |
8% |
20% |
2% |
14.9% |
Many |
Many |
Other |
3% |
42% |
19.6% |
Many |
Many |
Major Annual Events Held At the Ski-Hi Complex
Who is Involved
As is often the case in our community, an ad hoc citizen group, consisting of representatives of various user groups and interested people, has been working on the vision of renovation of the multi-purpose event building since 2010 when the grandstand project was completed. This vision has gained momentum over the years. The citizens group, now called Friends of Ski-Hi Park, with Monte Vista’s City Council’s approval in late 2017, is taking the lead in the design and implementation of the revitalization of the SLV Regional Multi-Use Event and Conference Center. The group has met almost monthly since that time. Most of the leadership in Friends for Ski Hi have been involved in Phases 1 and 2.
The group considered several options through the years:
The challenge facing the group is to have funding secured to order a new building and construct it within a short time so that no events will be lost. If proper planning is done, the contractors believe it is possible to demolish the old facility, pour a new pad, and build a new metal building in a time frame that will not affect most events. There are perhaps 2-3 events that might have to relocate for one year. It would be a very tight window, but if careful planning is done and there are no unforeseen obstacles, it could be done. The goal is to build and finish the multi-use building and build the conference center (maybe not finished) area by July 2021, which is the 100th anniversary of both the SLV Ski-Hi Stampede and Adams State University, with great potential for joint events and celebrations.
Description of Existing Ski-Hi Complex
The original Ski-Hi Complex began in the late 1800s with a rodeo arena and grandstands. The arena and grandstands have been upgraded and renovated several times over the years. A large event/recreational building was added in 1960, which is commonly referred to as the multi-purpose event building. When it was built, the builders used the grandstand cinder block wall as a common wall for the event center. The three new walls were also cinder block material with no reinforcement support. Very large, heavy cement beams were used to span and support the roof. An indoor swimming pool was added in approximately 1969, again using cinder block material and wood trusses in the ceiling. The swimming pool was closed to the public in 2005 due to a tear in the pool lining and chlorine starting to have negative effects on the cinder blocks. The City of Monte Vista also was experiencing financial issues at the time and was having difficulties funding the daily operations of the pool.
When the new main grandstands on the south side of the arena were built in 2010, the once common wall between the old grandstands and the multi-use event building no longer became an issue. The two are now separate structures. After the new grandstands were built, there were quite a few repairs to the once common wall; it already had large settling cracks and some of the door and window areas had to be filled in. Structural engineers indicated that while those repairs were needed and warranted, they were short-term “Band-Aid” repairs.
The electrical system in the building is also aging and outdated as are the water and sewer lines. The cement floor is uneven on the north side of the building due to digging up an existing water line for repair. When new concrete was poured over the repaired area, it left the floor uneven and a safety hazard depending on the activity. Wi-fi has been added but is not reliable. A new heating source was added approximately 12 years ago, but because the building has no insulation it is still cold. There are old electrical and HVAC systems still in place that have never been removed. The existing venting system is old, and difficult to control. In addition, the roof has leaked for many years. All told, the building is in serious decline and overdue to be replaced.
The City of Monte Vista has had several structural engineering firms review and report on the condition of the multi-use event building and swimming pool through the years. RNF Consultants located in Golden, Colorado, rendered an opinion in 2016, and a second opinion review in 2018.
The company’s recommendations to bring the multi-use event building up to code for safety reasons for both wind and snow loads included significant bracing measures to be taken with estimated costs exceeding a minimum of $136,000. Also, another review would be needed should the City of Monte Vista want to add roof-top equipment to the existing facility. RNF Consultants recommended demolition of the swimming pool only after the bracing of the event building was completed and indicated that the swimming pool portion of the building was not salvageable.
The City of Monte Vista did a formal, public Request for Proposals (RFP) for the necessary structural bracing improvements to the event building in February of 2018. Only one formal bid was received, and it came in at $317,304, or $167,304 above the estimate from the structural engineering firm. About this same time, the City of Monte Vista closed the multi-use building until further notice. This left many user groups in a quandary; they had planned events coming up, with no building in which to hold them. Some of the events have contracts 2-3 years out for integral parts of their events. Then in June of 2018, the City of Monte Vista re-opened Ski-Hi Multi-Use Event Center for use again after consulting with a structural engineering firm.
Relationship to Ski-Hi Master Plan
In 2006, the City of Monte Vista was awarded a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) planning grant to complete the City’s first-ever comprehensive plan for parks, recreation, trails, and open-space development. This Master Plan is the result of focus group meetings to determine the needs of the community. The renovation of the Ski-Hi Complex was identified as the number one priority of the residents. Green Play LLC was subsequently hired to assist in developing an overall business plan for the Ski-Hi Park Complex. A comment from the 2006-07 business plan stated: “The facility is old, in disrepair, and requires significant capital investment to ensure long-term viability as a community asset.”
Because the bucking chutes, the grandstand above the bucking chutes, and the holding pens on the north side of the arena were in such poor condition, the renovation of this area received the highest priority to complete because of safety issues for humans and animals. The renovation of this portion of the complex was completed in 2008.
In 2009, the second phase of the grandstands project was started with the demolition of the main grandstands on the south side. New, ADA aluminum seating with roofing was completed in 2010 with a seating capacity of 2,441 with 34 wheel chair spaces. The project was planned and constructed with no loss of any events.
The land in the 34-acre complex is owned by the City of Monte Vista. However, in 1985, the City and Rio Grande County entered into a long-term lease arrangement on a small tract of land so that the county could build an enclosed metal building with a dirt floor primarily to use for the San Luis Valley Fair. It has been used as an indoor riding arena for the general public, handicap therapeutic riding, regional archery shoots, practice area for high school sports, a paint- ball course, and display area during trade shows and tractor pulls. In 2013, Rio Grande County built a 100 ’x 100’ multi-use pavilion that is used during the annual San Luis Valley Fair as a beef barn and show ring, an equine riding arena through most of the year, and a covered ice rink in the winter months.
Master Plan Phases
Phase Status Project Implemented Cost Funders
1 Completed Bucking chutes 2008-2010 $1.547 million DOLA 32%
Grandstands north & south GOCO 34%
Daniels Fund 5%
Local 29%*
2 Completed Multi-Use Pavilion 2013 $270,230 GOCO 67%
Local 33%**
* Business, individuals, and local government Conservation Trust dollars
** Local government Conservation Trust dollars
In 2013, a coalition of local governments, private organizations, non-profits, and the SLV Development Resources Group obtained funding from GOCO to complete the San Luis Valley Trails and Recreation Plan. The study was completed in 2014 and identified areas in all six counties of the Valley for trails and recreation opportunities. The comprehensive study was completed by Root House from Boulder, Colorado, and included a very detailed process of public meetings and surveys. The vision of the project was geared more toward outdoor recreation throughout the San Luis Valley, but the public specifically mentioned in the surveys and public meetings that “continued development of the Ski-Hi Park Recreation Complex (page 15)” was a high priority. In the final 2014 San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLVGO) Master Plan report, priority initiatives included:
One Cent Sales Tax Proposal Initiative
To date, the City has no dedicated funding for the operations of Ski-Hi Park, and it has been difficult for the City to keep up with escalating operating expenses. Many of the event organizers pay minimal rental fees for use of the complex because most are non-profits spearheading events which in turn benefit the local economy of the town and surrounding municipalities.
In 2019, the City placed a “One Cent Project Fund” tax question before the voters. The restricted use
proposal will allocate funds for three areas of concern:
(1) Public Works for streets and sidewalk improvements,
(2) Police Department upgrades, and
(3) Ski-Hi Park maintenance funds and potential future improvements.
The proposed split of the raised tax funds was not equal with approximately 40% to be allocated to Ski-Hi Park Fund.
The 2019 election cycle was an “off year” election and it is generally very difficult to pass tax questions in these years because of low voter turn-out, and especially in a community where many of the voters are seniors and low-income families. The tax question passed by a 56% “yes” vote!
- Southern Rocky Mountain Agriculture Conference and Trade Fair (February)
- Monte Vista Crane Festival - celebrating the annual migration of Sandhill Cranes (March)
- SLV Farm Safety Day – safety lessons for 3rd graders (March)
- SLV Home and Garden Show (April)
- SLV Spring in the Valley Rodeo (April) – 4 weekends of rodeo for youth and adults
- Shriner Circus (May)
- SLV Antique Tractor and Iron Festival (June)
- SLV Ski-Hi Stampede – Colorado’s Oldest Professional Rodeo - 99 years in 2020 (July)
- SLV Fair (August)
- SLV Potato Festival (September)
- Rotary Gun Show (October)
- Oktoberfest – A free event for all SLV residents to enjoy a free, safe Halloween night (October)
- SLV Regional Shelter for Community Emergencies
- Million Fire in 2002 burned 9,346 acres
- West Fork Complex Fire in June 2013 burned 109,049 acres (2nd largest in Colorado history to date)
- A Commodity Distribution point for TEFAT - Emergency Food Assistance
- SLV Regional Mass Casualty Center - Training on-site in 2018
Who is Involved
As is often the case in our community, an ad hoc citizen group, consisting of representatives of various user groups and interested people, has been working on the vision of renovation of the multi-purpose event building since 2010 when the grandstand project was completed. This vision has gained momentum over the years. The citizens group, now called Friends of Ski-Hi Park, with Monte Vista’s City Council’s approval in late 2017, is taking the lead in the design and implementation of the revitalization of the SLV Regional Multi-Use Event and Conference Center. The group has met almost monthly since that time. Most of the leadership in Friends for Ski Hi have been involved in Phases 1 and 2.
The group considered several options through the years:
- Do nothing
- Year 1: Shore up multi-use building, demolish the swimming pool, and build a conference center
- Year 2: Demolish the multi-use event building and rebuild
- Demolish the complete facility at once and build a new all-in-one project
The challenge facing the group is to have funding secured to order a new building and construct it within a short time so that no events will be lost. If proper planning is done, the contractors believe it is possible to demolish the old facility, pour a new pad, and build a new metal building in a time frame that will not affect most events. There are perhaps 2-3 events that might have to relocate for one year. It would be a very tight window, but if careful planning is done and there are no unforeseen obstacles, it could be done. The goal is to build and finish the multi-use building and build the conference center (maybe not finished) area by July 2021, which is the 100th anniversary of both the SLV Ski-Hi Stampede and Adams State University, with great potential for joint events and celebrations.
Description of Existing Ski-Hi Complex
The original Ski-Hi Complex began in the late 1800s with a rodeo arena and grandstands. The arena and grandstands have been upgraded and renovated several times over the years. A large event/recreational building was added in 1960, which is commonly referred to as the multi-purpose event building. When it was built, the builders used the grandstand cinder block wall as a common wall for the event center. The three new walls were also cinder block material with no reinforcement support. Very large, heavy cement beams were used to span and support the roof. An indoor swimming pool was added in approximately 1969, again using cinder block material and wood trusses in the ceiling. The swimming pool was closed to the public in 2005 due to a tear in the pool lining and chlorine starting to have negative effects on the cinder blocks. The City of Monte Vista also was experiencing financial issues at the time and was having difficulties funding the daily operations of the pool.
When the new main grandstands on the south side of the arena were built in 2010, the once common wall between the old grandstands and the multi-use event building no longer became an issue. The two are now separate structures. After the new grandstands were built, there were quite a few repairs to the once common wall; it already had large settling cracks and some of the door and window areas had to be filled in. Structural engineers indicated that while those repairs were needed and warranted, they were short-term “Band-Aid” repairs.
The electrical system in the building is also aging and outdated as are the water and sewer lines. The cement floor is uneven on the north side of the building due to digging up an existing water line for repair. When new concrete was poured over the repaired area, it left the floor uneven and a safety hazard depending on the activity. Wi-fi has been added but is not reliable. A new heating source was added approximately 12 years ago, but because the building has no insulation it is still cold. There are old electrical and HVAC systems still in place that have never been removed. The existing venting system is old, and difficult to control. In addition, the roof has leaked for many years. All told, the building is in serious decline and overdue to be replaced.
The City of Monte Vista has had several structural engineering firms review and report on the condition of the multi-use event building and swimming pool through the years. RNF Consultants located in Golden, Colorado, rendered an opinion in 2016, and a second opinion review in 2018.
The company’s recommendations to bring the multi-use event building up to code for safety reasons for both wind and snow loads included significant bracing measures to be taken with estimated costs exceeding a minimum of $136,000. Also, another review would be needed should the City of Monte Vista want to add roof-top equipment to the existing facility. RNF Consultants recommended demolition of the swimming pool only after the bracing of the event building was completed and indicated that the swimming pool portion of the building was not salvageable.
The City of Monte Vista did a formal, public Request for Proposals (RFP) for the necessary structural bracing improvements to the event building in February of 2018. Only one formal bid was received, and it came in at $317,304, or $167,304 above the estimate from the structural engineering firm. About this same time, the City of Monte Vista closed the multi-use building until further notice. This left many user groups in a quandary; they had planned events coming up, with no building in which to hold them. Some of the events have contracts 2-3 years out for integral parts of their events. Then in June of 2018, the City of Monte Vista re-opened Ski-Hi Multi-Use Event Center for use again after consulting with a structural engineering firm.
Relationship to Ski-Hi Master Plan
In 2006, the City of Monte Vista was awarded a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) planning grant to complete the City’s first-ever comprehensive plan for parks, recreation, trails, and open-space development. This Master Plan is the result of focus group meetings to determine the needs of the community. The renovation of the Ski-Hi Complex was identified as the number one priority of the residents. Green Play LLC was subsequently hired to assist in developing an overall business plan for the Ski-Hi Park Complex. A comment from the 2006-07 business plan stated: “The facility is old, in disrepair, and requires significant capital investment to ensure long-term viability as a community asset.”
Because the bucking chutes, the grandstand above the bucking chutes, and the holding pens on the north side of the arena were in such poor condition, the renovation of this area received the highest priority to complete because of safety issues for humans and animals. The renovation of this portion of the complex was completed in 2008.
In 2009, the second phase of the grandstands project was started with the demolition of the main grandstands on the south side. New, ADA aluminum seating with roofing was completed in 2010 with a seating capacity of 2,441 with 34 wheel chair spaces. The project was planned and constructed with no loss of any events.
The land in the 34-acre complex is owned by the City of Monte Vista. However, in 1985, the City and Rio Grande County entered into a long-term lease arrangement on a small tract of land so that the county could build an enclosed metal building with a dirt floor primarily to use for the San Luis Valley Fair. It has been used as an indoor riding arena for the general public, handicap therapeutic riding, regional archery shoots, practice area for high school sports, a paint- ball course, and display area during trade shows and tractor pulls. In 2013, Rio Grande County built a 100 ’x 100’ multi-use pavilion that is used during the annual San Luis Valley Fair as a beef barn and show ring, an equine riding arena through most of the year, and a covered ice rink in the winter months.
Master Plan Phases
Phase Status Project Implemented Cost Funders
1 Completed Bucking chutes 2008-2010 $1.547 million DOLA 32%
Grandstands north & south GOCO 34%
Daniels Fund 5%
Local 29%*
2 Completed Multi-Use Pavilion 2013 $270,230 GOCO 67%
Local 33%**
* Business, individuals, and local government Conservation Trust dollars
** Local government Conservation Trust dollars
In 2013, a coalition of local governments, private organizations, non-profits, and the SLV Development Resources Group obtained funding from GOCO to complete the San Luis Valley Trails and Recreation Plan. The study was completed in 2014 and identified areas in all six counties of the Valley for trails and recreation opportunities. The comprehensive study was completed by Root House from Boulder, Colorado, and included a very detailed process of public meetings and surveys. The vision of the project was geared more toward outdoor recreation throughout the San Luis Valley, but the public specifically mentioned in the surveys and public meetings that “continued development of the Ski-Hi Park Recreation Complex (page 15)” was a high priority. In the final 2014 San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLVGO) Master Plan report, priority initiatives included:
- Improve community wellness through enhanced in-town recreation facilities. One of the potential
One Cent Sales Tax Proposal Initiative
To date, the City has no dedicated funding for the operations of Ski-Hi Park, and it has been difficult for the City to keep up with escalating operating expenses. Many of the event organizers pay minimal rental fees for use of the complex because most are non-profits spearheading events which in turn benefit the local economy of the town and surrounding municipalities.
In 2019, the City placed a “One Cent Project Fund” tax question before the voters. The restricted use
proposal will allocate funds for three areas of concern:
(1) Public Works for streets and sidewalk improvements,
(2) Police Department upgrades, and
(3) Ski-Hi Park maintenance funds and potential future improvements.
The proposed split of the raised tax funds was not equal with approximately 40% to be allocated to Ski-Hi Park Fund.
The 2019 election cycle was an “off year” election and it is generally very difficult to pass tax questions in these years because of low voter turn-out, and especially in a community where many of the voters are seniors and low-income families. The tax question passed by a 56% “yes” vote!
For more details, check out these pages: Current Plans - Project Underway! - Summary of the Project -Design Process - Design Requirements - Documents