GOCO grant to help complete Lamar fields

Two fields at the Lamar Baseball Complex will soon see major work to complete the project. (John Contreras / The Lamar Ledger)

New Colorado Lottery-funded grants will make it possible for several Colorado communities to build or restore recreational facilities that will increase outdoor activities but also help local economies by attracting visitors and reducing travel costs.

The Great Outdoors Colorado Board has approved nine grants worth more than $2.2 million to build baseball fields, tennis courts, natural playscapes, a pedestrian bridge and a track facility. The fortunate grant winners were selected from a pool of 36 applications seeking more than $9.3 million in assistance.

The grants approved by the GOCO board will:

Complete Lamar's baseball-softball "four-plex," allowing it to meet overwhelming local demand and attract more tournaments to the Southeast Colorado community;

Allow Monte Vista to host a Colorado High School Sports Association event for the first time in 30 years as its current cinder track did not meet standards;

Replace worn out tennis courts in Crested Butte, where usage has increased dramatically in recent years;

Replace a rough 70-year-old athletic field and dilapidated 60-year-old bleachers - a portion of which collapsed during a game - and create a community recreational walkway at Manzanola High School;

Restore a baseball field in Coal Creek, ending the need for local players to drive 30 miles for practices and games, and giving the community its first playground.

Install a 130-foot steel bridge in Pagosa Springs that will increase connectivity to the community's many parks and amenities for outdoor recreation.

Read this article:
GOCO grant to help complete Lamar fields