Last week the Great Outdoors Colorado board awarded the Town of Haxtun a $923,400 grant to renovate the community’s public pool facility.
The grant is part of GOCO’s Community Impact program, which develops and revitalizes parks, trails, school yards, fairgrounds, environmental education facilities and other outdoor projects that enhance a community’s quality of life and access to the outdoors.
The Town of Haxtun’s community pool is a central gathering space for the community, supports multi-generational programming and hosts local school athletics. Funding will allow the town to address numerous safety, compliance and maintenance issues that would otherwise prevent the pool from being utilized next summer. The town plans to include lap lanes, a toddler slide and new light fixtures, as well as zero entry, or stairless, access to better serve people with disabilities and young children.
“The town of Haxtun is thrilled to be able to complete the pool project that was started in 2002. With the continued support from our community, and the support of GOCO, we are excited for this project to start construction and get underway,” said Abby Henry, Pool Project Fundraising Chair.
This community-driven project was born 20 years ago when the local eighth grade class initiated a “Pennies for Pools” campaign that raised $4,888 for pool upgrades. Since then, the community has raised a total of $738,519 in cash and in-kind contributions. The school district plans to conduct another “Pennies for Pools” initiative to fund additional amenities in the future.
“I am thrilled our community received the GOCO grant! It will provide a safe and fun place for our students and their families to build relationships while engaging in healthy physical activity. Students will have the opportunity to participate in swimming lessons and connect with various generations at our pool,” said Marsha Cody, Superintendent of Haxtun School District.
To date, GOCO has invested more than $1.3 million in projects in Phillips County. GOCO funding has supported enhancements to the Holyoke Ball Park, Homesteaders Park and Phillips County Fairgrounds amenities, among other projects.
Great Outdoors Colorado invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Created when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1992, GOCO has since funded more than 5,600 projects in all 64 counties of Colorado without any tax dollar support.
Visit GOCO.org for more information.
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