SOUTH FORK - Over the past month, the San Luis Valley Aquatics group has been meeting with municipal boards in Rio Grande County to garner support for an aquatic center. 

San Luis Valley Aquatics representatives Grace Young and Jenny Nehring gave a brief presentation to the South Fork Town Board on Feb. 25, asking the town to send a letter of support for the $24 million project. South Fork officials did not get behind the project. 

The proposed pool would cost an estimated $24 million and would include a proposed 6.5 mill levy (property tax) for bond financing: 4% over 35 years to build the facility. A proposed 2.0 mill levy (property tax) to generate $445,000 annually toward the projected $650,000 annual operating costs to sustain the pool. The total 8.5 mill levy will cost property owners $4.75 per month per $100,000 of property value. According to state regulations, agricultural properties of 40 acres or more would be exempt from the property tax. 

SLV Aquatics Board Vice President Jenny Nehring began the presentation stating that, “The San Luis Valley is unique in that there is no centrally located pool in the Valley. It is a significant gap in recreational opportunities and health and wellness opportunities. Pools are important for safety. Learning to swim is a life skill. It's not a hobby, it's something everyone needs to know how to do. It's important to know how to swim and be around water. We have the mighty Rio Grande running through our communities, so it is a good idea to know how to swim, especially if you plan to recreate on our river.” 

Nehring stated that the center could produce economic impacts, potentially bringing in additional tourism money. 

“Economically it could be a reason someone chooses to stop and spend the night in Rio Grande County instead of Alamosa County. It has health benefits, both mental and physical,” she said. 

The proposed project is a 23,000 square foot facility with two pools. 

“One pool is a cooler temperature at 85 degrees used for lap swimming. It would have six lanes and a diving well. The other pool is equal in size and would be about 95 degrees. There would be a zero entry with no steps and not as deep and would include a lazy river,” she said. 

The facility requires five acres and would potentially be located in Monte Vista. 

“We are looking for land donations or a charitable sale and have four potential locations already,” said Nehring. “The infrastructure that needs to be brought in varies dramatically in each of the proposed locations. 

“Swimming pools are hard to maintain and there are only three swimming pools in the United States that actually make money. Pools are not facilities that pay for themselves or generate money. The price tag for the facility would be $24 million and it would be paid for by a 6.5 mill levy property tax for 35 years. There would also be a 2.0 mill perpetual mill levy to cover operating expenses.” 

San Luis Valley Aquatic Board President Grace Young stated that for those who pay the property tax, there would be a reduced entry fee if the proposed project is placed on a ballot and passed by voters. Young also stated that the board has reached out to two foundations for potential grant funding, but the foundations will not help fund the project until the community has committed to the proposed 8.5 mill levy. 

The five questions that will be consolidated on the ballot if the proposed project gains approval from the Rio Grande County Commissioners on March 10 would be as follows: 

Formation of the San Luis Valley Aquatics Park and Recreation District 

Election of the board of directors of the district, approval of the operations mill levy of 2.0 mills, approval of bond authorization in the amount of up to $24,000,000 for construction of the San Luis Valley Aquatics Center as described in this service plan (with the accompanying debt service mill levy of 6.5 for a total approximate mill levy of 8.5). This also includes contingencies, capitalized interest and cost of issuance. “De-Brucing” elimination of TABOR and other statutory mill levy/revenue restrictions, with voter approval, as permitted by law (without raising mill levies). 

After the presentation, South Fork Town Manager Hank Weber and members of the town board asked Young and Nehring if they were aware that South Fork does not have a property tax and that they just recently passed a sales tax increase to help pay for future projects and are looking to potentially pass a property tax to care for town maintenance and roads. Nehring stated that yes, she was aware. 

South Fork Mayor Tyler Schmidt responded to the presentation stating, “We asked our community about a year and a half ago to pass a property tax to take care of our roads and our town. The consensus on the proposal was for a sales tax increase and by two-thirds vote, South Fork approved a 2 percent increase in our sales tax. That in and of itself, though a victory for the town, it was done on the premise that we would use that money wisely. I think this project is going to be a hard sale. I cannot in good conscience advocate for this project when I still have work to do for the citizens that I just asked to double the sales tax. I just can’t advocate for this.” 

Young finished the presentation imploring the South Fork Town Board to consider supporting the project. 

“How do we improve our whole area? How do we improve not only our infrastructure but our social infrastructure as well,” Young said. 

This will be the group’s second attempt in the past six months to get the project before voters. The Rio Grande County Board of Commissioners denied the request, 3-0, in early December.