MONTE VISTA — A gathering was held on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 28, at the Outcalt Event and Conference at SLV Ski Hi Complex as the ceremonial final payment was made to Alcon Construction for its work on the complex.

The large ceremonial check that was given to Alcon was for $ 231,309.96. At least 22 people were in attendance for the event, including Friends of Ski Hi Park committee members and Monte Vista City officials. The idea behind the gathering was to signify the completed complex with this final payment.

Friends of Ski Hi Park member Karla Shriver spoke about the project before the check was handed over and gave some history to the crowd that had gathered.

“The idea for the new complex, came in 2010 after the rodeo grandstands were constructed. There were various circumstances that didn’t allow us to get it done right away; the timing wasn’t right,” Shriver stated. 

Shriver spoke of how she and Kathy Woods had gone before members of the MV City Council and asked for permission to build a new building. Shortly after, the group Friends of Ski HI was also formed.

Shriver also talked about how there were struggles in the beginning with organization and getting the project pushed forward. There was also a need for permanent funding for the project, and that was where Friends of Ski Hi requested the 1% sales tax back in 2019.  

Shriver outlined much of the history of the project to the crowd including the three phases the project underwent — the planning phase, the schematic drawing phase, the construction phase, and the amount held for friends.

The total budgeted amount was $8,927,970. Shriver said that the ball was rolling pretty good, until COVID hit and then they thought about canning the project. There were other things that the construction of the building had to overcome as well including funders lowering the amount that they donated, the furniture costing more than what was budgeted, and Alcon having to make several long trips to obtain materials, for the project to continue to move forward. In July of 2021, the city finance director and city manager moved on to other jobs. 

“Everybody pulled together. We made it,” Shriver stated. “It wasn’t like there was a textbook on how to do this. A lot of just love, came into this. What a great community effort this has been. Everybody should be very proud of what has happened here.” 

MV City Manager Gigi Dennis also spoke at the gathering about upcoming positive changes for the complex at Ski Hi, including a wrought iron fence that would surround the complex. Dennis also spoke of the grant that had been applied for to allow the complex, to be converted into an emergency shelter center that would serve the entire San Luis Valley. The grant would add 15 to 18 RV spaces to the complex, and add four portable shower systems, along with a generator. 

Dennis also stated that a total of around 48,000 people had already passed through the complex with the events that had taken place there in 2022. 

“This is just so remarkable that you all had this vision,” Dennis stated. “You came together as a community and it’s a true success story. If you build it, they will come.” 

The check was donated at the gathering and the gathering concluded with pictures and smiles.