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The new Carbondale Recreation and Community Center celebrated its grand opening on Friday and is open for business.
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ENLARGE
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Mark Weinhold of Carbondale appears to be discussing basketball with 7-year-old Rachel Staheli at the new Carbondale Recreation and Community Center Saturday. The center is offering a free promotional weekend and will be open today (Sunday) from noon to 5 p.m.
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CARBONDALE — Even in the smallest of towns, getting people on the same page about something isn’t always easy. On Saturday, however, at the brand-new Carbondale Recreation & Community Center, it seemed no problem at all.
The dozens of Carbondale residents participating in the free preview weekend looked to be in agreement. For them, for their community, the center is simply a good thing.
“I think it’s pretty,” said Lily Wolfe Webber. “Pretty, pretty.”
The 4-year-old was playing basketball with her father in the large, airy indoor court. Like the rest of the building, the gym has high ceilings and large skylights illuminating the place.
According to dad Mark Wolfe Webber, 46, it’s what he’s been waiting for since moving here 19 years ago.
“We’re trying to catch up to Glenwood Springs,” he said, with a chuckle. “We’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Isn’t this place great?” Stacy Evans asked him right then. “I’m so excited about it!”
Evans, 27, was starting her first day doing on-site child care and had a bubbly enthusiasm about the center. A Carbondale resident most of her life, she sees the building as a real boon to youngsters, especially.
“I just had this vision of young kids coming here to hang out,” she said. “It’s such a positive way to spend your time. You’re not bored.”
Next door, Pedro Palomo, 36, was pumping weights in the exercise room, which also houses a climbing wall. For him, the center means he won’t be paying as much as he did at a local gym. It also gives his son, Brian, 6, a chance to play basketball, which he “loves,” Palomo said.
“I like it,” he continued. “It’s wonderful, because Glenwood has one (a recreation center) and Aspen has one. Carbondale needs one.”
In the lobby, manager Eric Brendlinger held up a brochure.
“We are this,” he said, pointing to the word “recreation.”
He then put his finger under “community.”“We are also this,” he added.
For him, the excitement is two-fold. For one, the building can be used as a multi-purpose center, with the lobby and gym converting into party or concert areas, if need be. Also, perhaps more importantly, the entire building was built as “green” as it could go. It was constructed according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, a nationally recognized benchmark. In practical terms, that means a myriad of Earth-friendly improvements, from a reduction in water usage to implementing of light switches that turn off on their own.
Only a local resident since June, Brendlinger wasn’t sure about the history of the effort to get this place off the ground, but did know many of the players involved. He mentioned the help of Jeff Jackel, Parks and Recreation Director. The architect was John Baker, with Joani Matranga serving as energy consultant. Alongside town bond money, funds were provided by the Gates Family Foundation, Alpine Bank and the Department of Local Affairs.
With classes, long hours and more amenities to come, Brendlinger seemed assured of the center’s place in Carbondale.
“I think we have something for everyone,” he said.
But perhaps the most practical quotes about the place’s niche came from Gary Rubin, 70, and his buddy, Marty Manosevitz, 72, both of Missouri Heights. As the pair cycled on stationary bikes, they compared the center to the dark, sweaty gyms of their childhood. One dubbed it a “beautiful facility.” One called it “long overdue.”
“Here’s the bottom line,” said Rubin, “after we’ve enjoyed Carbondale’s best restaurants, we come here and work it off.”
Contact Stina Sieg: 384-9111ssieg@postindependent.com
Post Independent Glenwood Springs CO Colorado
The dozens of Carbondale residents participating in the free preview weekend looked to be in agreement. For them, for their community, the center is simply a good thing.
“I think it’s pretty,” said Lily Wolfe Webber. “Pretty, pretty.”
The 4-year-old was playing basketball with her father in the large, airy indoor court. Like the rest of the building, the gym has high ceilings and large skylights illuminating the place.
According to dad Mark Wolfe Webber, 46, it’s what he’s been waiting for since moving here 19 years ago.
“We’re trying to catch up to Glenwood Springs,” he said, with a chuckle. “We’ve been looking forward to this.”
“Isn’t this place great?” Stacy Evans asked him right then. “I’m so excited about it!”
Evans, 27, was starting her first day doing on-site child care and had a bubbly enthusiasm about the center. A Carbondale resident most of her life, she sees the building as a real boon to youngsters, especially.
“I just had this vision of young kids coming here to hang out,” she said. “It’s such a positive way to spend your time. You’re not bored.”
Next door, Pedro Palomo, 36, was pumping weights in the exercise room, which also houses a climbing wall. For him, the center means he won’t be paying as much as he did at a local gym. It also gives his son, Brian, 6, a chance to play basketball, which he “loves,” Palomo said.
“I like it,” he continued. “It’s wonderful, because Glenwood has one (a recreation center) and Aspen has one. Carbondale needs one.”
In the lobby, manager Eric Brendlinger held up a brochure.
“We are this,” he said, pointing to the word “recreation.”
He then put his finger under “community.”“We are also this,” he added.
For him, the excitement is two-fold. For one, the building can be used as a multi-purpose center, with the lobby and gym converting into party or concert areas, if need be. Also, perhaps more importantly, the entire building was built as “green” as it could go. It was constructed according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, a nationally recognized benchmark. In practical terms, that means a myriad of Earth-friendly improvements, from a reduction in water usage to implementing of light switches that turn off on their own.
Only a local resident since June, Brendlinger wasn’t sure about the history of the effort to get this place off the ground, but did know many of the players involved. He mentioned the help of Jeff Jackel, Parks and Recreation Director. The architect was John Baker, with Joani Matranga serving as energy consultant. Alongside town bond money, funds were provided by the Gates Family Foundation, Alpine Bank and the Department of Local Affairs.
With classes, long hours and more amenities to come, Brendlinger seemed assured of the center’s place in Carbondale.
“I think we have something for everyone,” he said.
But perhaps the most practical quotes about the place’s niche came from Gary Rubin, 70, and his buddy, Marty Manosevitz, 72, both of Missouri Heights. As the pair cycled on stationary bikes, they compared the center to the dark, sweaty gyms of their childhood. One dubbed it a “beautiful facility.” One called it “long overdue.”
“Here’s the bottom line,” said Rubin, “after we’ve enjoyed Carbondale’s best restaurants, we come here and work it off.”
Contact Stina Sieg: 384-9111ssieg@postindependent.com
Post Independent Glenwood Springs CO Colorado
Carbondale Recreation & Community Center
WHAT: Carbondale Recreation & Community Center, now open to the public
WHERE: 567 Colorado Ave. in Carbondale HOURS: Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m. Amenities include: Multi-purpose gym, weight and exercise room, showers, climbing wall, classes and on-site child care. More information: 704-4190. |
