Fremont County's application for additional grant monies to enhance the new outdoor arena at Pathfinder Regional Park west of Florence did not make the cut before the Great Outdoors Colorado Board. Fremont County was seeking a $200,000 grant to help install outdoor toilets, bleachers, and lighting. Great Outdoors Colorado notified the County Commissioners this week that at the recent GOCO Board meeting in Trinidad the Board approved $3.48 million in grants for 22 parks and recreation projects statewide. GOCO had received 47 grant applications totaling $7.2 million.
Commissioner Ed Norden said the county will evaluate their application and discuss what changes might be made to enhance the project that would position it for possible approval in the next GOCO application cycle. Norden said some community groups are also interested in fundraising to help develop the outdoor arena. He said getting electricity and water to the site will also be important in the near future. The arena was completed last fall with $100,000 from the initial $500,000 grant that the county and the Canon City Recreation District received for Pathfinder Park.
While the grant application was unsuccessful, interest remains high in using the arena. Fremont County 4-H horse clubs have already staged two major events this spring and summer at the arena. The Commissioners also recently adopted a rental policy and rental fees for any groups or persons wanting to rent the arena for a few hours or an entire day. Rental arrangements can be made at the C.S.U. Cooperative Extension Office in the County Administration Building.
Commissioner Ed Norden said the county will evaluate their application and discuss what changes might be made to enhance the project that would position it for possible approval in the next GOCO application cycle. Norden said some community groups are also interested in fundraising to help develop the outdoor arena. He said getting electricity and water to the site will also be important in the near future. The arena was completed last fall with $100,000 from the initial $500,000 grant that the county and the Canon City Recreation District received for Pathfinder Park.
While the grant application was unsuccessful, interest remains high in using the arena. Fremont County 4-H horse clubs have already staged two major events this spring and summer at the arena. The Commissioners also recently adopted a rental policy and rental fees for any groups or persons wanting to rent the arena for a few hours or an entire day. Rental arrangements can be made at the C.S.U. Cooperative Extension Office in the County Administration Building.