2017, a year of repairs for Creede
CREEDE— The year of 2017 has been more than productive for the town of Creede. The small mountain town celebrated their 125th anniversary and in the midst of the celebrations, managed to update a good portion of their future. Everything from repairing the old flume running through town, to reconstructing their beloved park, Creede has taken 2017 by storm delightfully merging the old with the new for a combination of wonderment that will last a lifetime.
It was almost one year ago today that the City of Creede began discussions pertaining to having the flume containing Willow Creek that runs through town repaired. The city was awarded a one million dollar grant through the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to help with the costs associated with the project. The flume has been showing signs of extensive damage for several years and concerns of flooding were what prompted the need to repair the landmark.
The flume is a 5,527-foot canal that travels north to south through the center of Creede. The masonry was built in 1950 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and has been slowly deteriorating for the past 66 years and is beyond in need of repair. City officials have had several studies done throughout the years, beginning with a feasibility study that was completed in 2003 by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The flume project is still in the planning phase, while officials hammer out the details in order to approach the project with the most cost-effective way possible.
The City of Creede didn’t stop there, in the spring the city and county were again awarded funding to help with costs associated with a Get Outdoors Colorado initiative to help increase outdoor recreational activities for area youth. The San Luis Valley received one million dollars to help with the Inspire Initiative which was split between Creede and two other communities with plans to use the money to enhance their tri-park area and the three-mile non-motorized trail that runs along the flood plain located south of town.
2017 was off to an amazing start for the town and it wasn’t long before another grant was awarded to help with repairs to Basham Park located downtown. The little park has always served as a town center where the historic museum and library welcomed guests and was the main stage for children’s activities, art in park events and home to Creede’s Days of ‘92 Mining competitions. The city applied for and received another grant to help fund the project through GOCO.
The centerpiece in the park was a large, 41-year old gazebo that was falling apart from years of use. The city spent countless hours, planning and designing the new structure that will replace the old gazebo and construction is already underway.
In addition to rebuilding the gazebo, the original plan also included redoing the paths around the park. The current pathways are covered in what Creede Town Clerk Randi Snead refers to as “unattractive gravel” which causes drainage issues as well as damage to the grass in the park. The city is going to replace the gravel with imitation stone pavers in the spring of 2018.
If that wasn’t enough, the county was working on a project of their own. After listening to recommendations from the Underfunded Courthouse Facility Commission they applied for funding to help remodel the current courthouse. In a meeting held on Dec. 19, commissioners learned that the county had been awarded $695,000 from the commission. The courthouse will be extended by roughly 2,000 square feet from the outer wall of the current courtroom to the north. The changes will include adding a shared jury room/commissioner meeting chambers and a whole new courtroom for proceedings. The rest of the building will also undergo a complete remodel that will include a new roof and possibly solar panels. The next step for the county is to apply for additional funding from DOLA by the spring.
The year has flown by and is coming to a close in less than a week. As Creede winds down and prepares to welcome the year to come, many look back and see a road of change and accomplishment.