WHY is this project happening?
CCMRD and the City of Idaho Springs have joined forces to redesign and expand Shelly Field (the eastern field of the Idaho Springs Sports Complex) to provide for many of the outdoor recreational amenities this community has been asking for. A skatepark, playground, stage, soccer fields, pump track, tennis/pickleball courts, basketball court, concession stands AND bathrooms will provide for countless opportunities for this community to come together! Shelly Field is limited to baseball players aged 8 years or younger, due to the safety risk of launching home runs onto the highway. This project not only solves that problem, but it will have a deep and long lasting impact on the greater Clear Creek County community.
To resolve the misorientation of Shelly Field while simultaneously elevating the space to its full potential.
To bring a skatepark to Idaho Springs!
To provide locals with a much-needed outdoor space that is distinct from the busy and congested downtown area.
To offer more outdoor recreation opportunities for the community (and thereby enhancing the quality of life).
To establish a community hub that appeals to diverse users, that fosters a healthy lifestyle, and is a safe place to learn new skills and improve at others, and to gather with friends and neighbors. A place for our community to make memories.
To honor and celebrate the Clear Creek County community’s shared love for outdoor recreation.
To cultivate multigenerational interaction.
To strengthen our community.
To provide a low to no cost to participate outdoor activity (the other outdoor recreation options in CCC tend to be costly, i.e. skiing and rafting).
WHY is this project happening now?
Thanks to the efforts of the Skate Board and the momentum this community committee has generated, the time to skate IS now! #skateISnow
As a continuation of the local grassroots efforts over the past many years, the Skate Board has actively pursued a suitable location for a skatepark in Idaho Springs. Not only that, but the City of Idaho Springs has committed to returning a skatepark to the community, after dismantling the ramps and features that had previously been available to the community. By joining forces, CCMRD and the City of Idaho Springs will elevate the promise of a skatepark to a bigger, better, and more inclusive Sports Complex that will appeal to every member of our community - from young children on the playground, to older adults on the pickleball courts, there will be something for everyone.
The City of Idaho Springs will be constructing a new Public Works facility, which will allow for the materials and equipment stored in the vehicle yard immediately east of Shelly Field to be relocated. This soon-to-be-vacant (end of 2023) parcel of land allows for an expansion and revisioning of the space.
Both CCMRD and the City of Idaho Springs have a shared vision and dedicated leadership to see this project through to completion.
The community partners that have rallied around this project are overwhelmingly positive and are representative of the unwavering dedication each entity holds for this community. Specifically, Mountain Youth Network/TREK. This youth-focused local organization has been instrumental in maintaining student engagement and forward momentum since the inception of the Skate Board. Their success can be evidenced by the weekly skatepark field trips that have shown steady growth in participation numbers, among countless other contributions they’ve made to strategic planning and communications. (Not to mention the many Skate Board meetings they sponsored!) The Clear Creek School District has offered staff support and exposure.
CCMRD faces financial insecurity as property tax revenues decline, thus intensifying the need to generate revenue. Enhancements to the Sports Complex will offer expanded opportunities for programming and special events. (Bathrooms would also help to improve the overall experience!)
The pandemic reminded us all of the importance of outdoor spaces for health (physical, mental, social/emotional) and the need to invest in community building/vitality. This project intends to serve the greater Clear Creek County community with a place to come together to play and enjoy!
WHERE will the money come from?
The intention is for 100% of the funding to come from grants, fundraising efforts, and financial support from local partners.
CCMRD and the City of Idaho Springs are working together to apply for funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (“GOCO”). The wide reach of appeal to such a diverse range of user groups enhances the competitiveness of our funding request.
About GOCO: GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state's parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. Their independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created by voters in 1992, GOCO has committed more than $1.3 billion in lottery proceeds to more than 5,300 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support.
In addition to the hopeful GOCO funding, CCMRD intends to apply for and ultimately secure additional grant funding for the skatepark specifically. The Skatepark Project has been identified as a potential funding source.
The skatepark project becomes more attractive to potential grant funders when underscored by strong partnerships with a shared vision for serving diverse user groups. Those partnerships have come together, as CCMRD, the City of Idaho Springs, Mountain Youth Network, the Clear Creek County government, and the Clear Creek School District have linked arms to do the work to bring this vision to life!
CCMRD has pledged to secure funding for the skatepark with The City of Idaho Springs committing to fund all other dimensions of the project scope.
CCMRD receives an annual stipend from the Colorado Conservation Trust Fund (lottery proceeds) for the purpose of maintaining public sites, such as the Sports Complex. These funds have supported the upkeep of the Sports Complex for many years, and will continue to do so in the future after the expansion.
This project will not translate into a tax burden for citizens or businesses.
Construction costs associated with this project will not impact membership rates to the Clear Creek Rec Center in Idaho Springs.
WHAT activities will be supported?
Check out the conceptual design created by THK Associates below:
The specific amenities included in the redesign:
15,000 sq. ft. skatepark
Pump track (potentially)
Playground
Stage
Basketball Court
Tennis/Pickleball Hybrid Court
Concession Stand
Bathrooms
Parking
Aside from skateboarding, bike riding, listening to music, playing basketball, tennis, pickleball, gathering with friends, enjoying a picnic, or enjoying the improved bathroom and concessions, this enhanced space will be the perfect place for sunny afternoons, birthday parties, family reunions, and the full host of programming and special events coordinated by CCMRD.
WHAT user groups?
The upgraded and enhanced Idaho Springs Sports Complex will serve:
Students
Teachers
Older Adults/Seniors
Skateboarders
Teens
Young Children
Youth Sport Participants + Spectators
Adult Sport Participants + Spectators
Visitors/Tourists
Bike Riders
Drop-In Adult Soccer Players
Concert Goers
Baseball Players
Basketball Players (Adults + Youth)
Community Groups
Outdoor Volleyball Players
Group Fitness Classes
Musicians
Dancers
Actors
Families
Friends
Residents
Everyone
