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NPRD News

Library and NPRD will Not join forces

By September 20, 2015August 24th, 2021No Comments

Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 4:00 pm

After more than a year of exploration to determine whether the Norwood Public Library and the Norwood Park and Recreation District should join forces in sharing community space, a decision has been reached.

The Lone Cone Library District announced they have come to an agreement with NPRD: The library will be the sole facility designed on the 12-acre parcel of land near Cottonwood Creek Estates. 

The decision, library director Carrie Andrew said, still leaves the opportunity for NPRD to develop part of the property in the future. NPRD could explore a building or another recreational facility.

“This enables each group to focus on their strengths with no overload being created for either entity and allows the library to progress in a timely manner to have the project completed on schedule,” Andrew said.

The library has commissioned Chris Endreson with the University Technical Assistance program through the University of Colorado, Denver to provide initial design phase services.

Based on community feedback, the existing library does not provide enough space to house more technology or increased programming.

Current plans for the new library include meetings rooms, classrooms, increased space for books, offices for staff, workshop space, new computers and possibly expanded Wi-Fi services.

Andrew said the library board hopes to create a community space that can be used for various activities, including dances, weddings, school study groups, business meetings, seminars, parties, classes and recreational activities. 

The library board is researching economical building materials — solar, passive solar, geothermal, hempcrete and other opportunities — that would benefit the project and community.

Possible partners, advertisers, donors or sponsors should contact Andrew at 327-4833 or by email at .

According to NPRD board member Karen Bellerose, it only made sense for the library to move forward. She said NPRD officials appreciate the opportunity to catch up later. 

“We and the library are on different timelines,” Bellerose said. “They have an urgent need, and they are running, while we are just starting to walk.”

Bellerose said NPRD has had a busy year thus far and that programming is now NPRD’s focus. Recently, NPRD hired part-time Recreation Coordinator Michele LeBas and also acquired the lease on the Livery and adjacent blue “Oliver” house.

“NPRD is in the beginning phases of administering programs,” Bellerose said. “We’ve done the work to create amenities, we’ve worked with counties to get the ice rink, groom the Nordic path at the fairgrounds and worked with the school to create the baseball field. Now, we’re trying to develop programming.”

NPRD has implemented a new youth soccer program that kicks off this summer and is also installing a new floor in the Livery for yoga, dance and other classes.

This summer, NPRD in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, San Miguel County and the Telluride Foundation will build two miles, and improve an additional three and a half  miles, of hiking trails in McKee Draw.

Anyone with questions for NPRD should contact Bellerose at 970-708-8699.