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Businesses bounce back briskly

Phil SandovalStaff Writer

Tourist and recreational businesses in Glenwood Springs have bounced back quickly from closures due to the Coal Seam fire.Many businesses, including the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool and Lodge and Whitewater Rafting, reopened on Tuesday. More will do so today.”We weren’t touched, and everything’s going,” said Whitewater Rafting co-owner Susie Larson. The Devereux Road business, on the banks of the Colorado River in West Glenwood, sits just a few yards from the blackened Meadows property. Rock Gardens Rafting and Campground is open and has several large groups booked this weekend. Blue Sky Adventures rafting, in the Hotel Colorado, is also running trips.-Swimmers could be seen from the bridge in the Hot Springs Pool Tuesday morning. The kiddie pool, water slide and concession stands at the pool remain closed, but general manager Kjell Mitchell said the lodge, athletic club and pool are all back in operation.-The Hot Springs Pool is also offering firefighters and volunteers free use of the pool, showers and locker room facilities.”We want to do anything in our power to assist in the fire-fighting efforts,” Mitchell said.To gain complimentary access, fire fighters and volunteers should go to the pool’s main entrance and identify themselves to the cashiers.-Business resumed Tuesday at the Glenwood Caverns and Fairy Caves for the first time since Saturday.Co-owner Jeanne Beckley said, “The property is fine. We’re thankful for that, but there’s been a lot of cancellations this week.” Just seven people took tours on Tuesday.-The Yampah Spa and Vapor Caves is open.-All but a few hotels in West Glenwood are open and accepting reservations for this weekend. In spite of some damage from the Coal Seam fire, Ami’s Acres campground in West Glenwood is expected to reopen within the next two weeks.-The Glenwood Springs Mall in West Glenwood remained closed Tuesday, but, management did allow store owners in to assess individual damage and to clean their stores. The mall’s administrative office said individual stores will open to the public today at 9 a.m.-The Community Center, which drew considerable attention at the height of the conflagration, resumes its complete schedule of activities today.Parks and recreation director Dan Rodgerson said the building was unharmed by the fire, but the adjoining ice/inline skating rink needed considerable clean-up.”We had about a half-inch of soot and ash to clean up from the rink, but that was about it,” he said.-Rodgerson said all scheduled adult and youth outdoor activities, including adult softball, youth baseball and tennis instruction, will resume as scheduled with one possible change.Adult softball games scheduled for Two Rivers Park this week could be changed to another venue since fire crews are occupying the park.Further information on the status of games can be obtained by calling the Community Center’s recreation hotline, 384-6340 or athletic coordinator Andy Worline at 384-6318 during business hours.-The Glenwood Springs Golf Club in West Glenwood return to operation has yet to be determined. Telephone calls to the Golf Club and to the club’s pro, Greg Gortsema were not returned as of press time.According to reports, there were no visible signs of damage to the course or the clubhouse.-Also unknown at press time was the status of the Mall Three Theater inside the Mall. No information, except for the theater’s current movie schedule and times were available. The downtown Springs movie theater has been open and running its regular schedule since Sunday.-As a precautionary measure the No Name, Grizzly Creek and Transfer trails will be closed.-Strawberry Days, set for June 21-23, will go forward as planned. The Strawberry Days Rodeo will be held on Friday and Saturday this weekend.


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