Great Outdoors Colorado announced on Friday, March 14, that the Town of Eagle and Mountain Recreation have secured a $730,000 grant for the development of key amenities at the growing Haymaker Recreation Hub. The funds will be utilized for the construction of the new outdoor pool, a BMX track, a bike park and the finalization of Eagle’s first skate park design.
“We’re appreciative of GOCO’s support, as this enables us and our partner organizations to establish an inclusive recreation hub, enhancing the quality of life for both long-time residents and those choosing to make Eagle their home,” said Eagle Town Manager Larry Pardee. “Our vision is to create a space where residents and visitors can easily gather, enjoy our outdoor activities, ride bikes, experience the skate park, and cool off at the new pool for years to come.”
These amenities are top priorities in the community-centered recreation plan, developed collaboratively by residents and partner organizations. The Haymaker Recreation Hub aims to cater to the needs of a rapidly growing population and address the closure of the previous pool in 2022. The new pool will serve as a gathering point and provide essential lifesaving learn-to-swim programs for youth and bilingual lessons for adults.
The grant funding includes $500,000 earmarked for community-requested amenities at the Eagle Pool, $100,000 towards the Eagle Bike Park, $100,000 towards the BMX track, and $30,0000 towards the skate park.
Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance and Eagle County BMX will also contribute to the project by providing shade structures, picnic tables, and landscaping for the new bike park and BMX track. These enhancements are being made possible through fundraising efforts and ongoing maintenance by the two partners.
“The community collaboration enabled us to apply for and secure these funds, further enhancing our recreational offerings and strengthening partnerships in Eagle,” said Mountain Recreation Executive Director Ture Nycum. “Working together allows us to cultivate and expand facility access and programming, offering recreational opportunities to meet the needs of our diverse and multi-generational community.”
The project will also support equitable access to outdoor activities through partnerships with organizations like the Cycle Effect, My Future Pathways, Vail Valley Developmental Services, and the local Generation Wild community Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement. Additionally, the improvements will support community events and competitions, boost town visitation, and provide economic benefits for local businesses.
Additionally, final design concepts for the new outdoor pool will be shared during a community open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Eagle Pool and Ice Rink. The pool area will include a leisure pool, a separate lap pool, and new family changing areas. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of May, weather permitting.
For more information, contact Assistant Town Manager Melissa Daruna at 970-404-9705 or melissa.daruna@townofeagle.org or Mountain Recreation Executive Director Ture Nycum at 970-688-7335 or tnycum@mountainrec.org. More information on the pool project is available at mountainrec.org.