The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Majority of money from sources other than town
The Big Mine Ice Rink roof project is coming in on time but a bit over budget. The rink will see some major action starting this week as the steel work will commence.
As for the cost, it was originally expected to be about $1.2 million. But at Monday’s Town Council meeting, the council learned the cost will likely be closer to $1.4 million. Crested Butte Parks and Recreation director Jake Jones told the council that the staff “was light on some cost estimate assumptions. The costs of steel, concrete and fuel have all gone up,” he explained. “We feel we’re good where we’re at and we are comfortable with the adjusted figures. But it is still about 10 percent more than we originally thought.”
Jones pointed out that the work is being done almost exclusively by local contractors.
“We’ve worked every angle of this,” added Town Building and Zoning director Bob Gillie. “We didn’t start designing this until last December or January and to be playing hockey in there this winter is pretty incredible. There are always things that come up. The good thing is that we are highly leveraged with this project. The town hasn’t committed a ton of money.”
Gillie and the staff are the general contractors on the project, which has saved money. He and Jones said that for every dollar of town money invested, two dollars of grants or contributions have been pledged.
“For the most part, 68 percent of the project is paid for with funds that aren’t town funds,” confirmed Crested Butte finance director Lois Rozman. “On a $1.4 million project, to have the town contribute $445,000, that’s pretty darn good leverage.”
Rozman said that money will come out the town’s general fund.
“I’ve been a part of the council for the last six years and the ice rink has been talked about every year,” said mayor Leah Williams. “It is good to finally have it almost done. It’s what we need. It is wonderful.”
The council unanimously approved allocating another $205,000 from the town coffers to cover the cover for the ice rink.
