Dear Editor:

Orchard City has applied to GOCO for financial assistance with the Orchard City Town Park. Our application for assistance has been denied the last two years.

This is our third applicaton for this project. The final phase of the park includes construction of a 60x100-foot pavilion with barbecue facilities, picnic tables, concrete pathways for access for handicapped citizens, additional grass for play and additional parking space. The cost for this project will be $218,484. We are requesting $123,528 in GOCO funding and the town’s portion would be $94,956.

As many of you know Orchard City’s park is one of the nicest (if not the nicest) parks in the county. There are five baseball fields, one softball field, three soccer fields, basketball court, a playground, three restroom facilities, a maintenance building and a walk/bicycle path located on 32 acres. Orchard City has a contract with the Surface Creek Valley Field of Dreams Inc. for use of the sport fields. This contract is for the sum of $500 per year plus $2.50 per child registered for each of the sport seasons.

Because we are a small rural area we are sometimes overlooked when it comes to financial assistance, the feeling being that the more populated areas will be of greater benefit. What needs to be pointed out is that our park is utilized by many of the citizens of Delta County as well as from the surrounding region. Youth baseball tournaments have been held at the park attended by hundreds. Youth soccer league teams have a full schedule.

In order to accommodate this many people, we have made many improvements to the park. Needless to say these improvements come with a price tag. The Town of Orchard City has been very generous with the park at budget time.

We are making every effort to continue this level of service. We appreciate the support GOCO has provided to Orchard City in the past. We are asking for assistance from GOCO with this project. This will provide a much-needed covered area for the Orchard City Town Park.

We are at this time asking for your assistance. Please help us by contacting GOCO by e-mail (localgovernment@goco.org), by mail (Great Outdoors Colorado, 1600 Broadway, Suite 1650, Denver, CO 80202), or by phone (303-863-7522) expressing your support of this project. Voice your concerns. Please emphasize how important this park is for everybody in the community and surrounding area. Ask them to consider funding this project. Pass this on. Ask your family and friends to help.

We need input from the citizens of Delta County to help us receive a grant. If we do not receive this grant we will be forced to scale back our project due to our budget commitments. Please take the time and help us in this endeavor

Don Suppes, Mayor

Jim Boyd, Trustee

Jerry Brunemeier, Trustee

Gale Doudy, Trustee

Cherrie Gilliam, Trustee

Len Johnson, Trustee

Marsha Thomas, Trustee

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