Snowflake Renovating Community Pool

Could be Completed as Soon as August

There is definitely something going on with the Snowflake Community Pool. A new fence is up guarding the pool building, the roof has been taken off, trusses have been repaired, damaged siding is being removed, and materials lay adjacent to the building. Much more has been done which cannot be seen.  The building has been inspected for structural integrity, surveyed, and design plans prepared.     

It has been over 7 years since the Town of Snowflake closed the pool down.  It was decided in the January 14, 2014 town council meeting to close the pool due to structural concerns with the roof and cracked beams. The general dilapidated state of the pool with no funds to repair or maintain it also led to the decision to close.   

The closed status of the pool will soon change.  In September of last year, Snowflake hired Teresa Harvey with Divina Management to oversee the pool renovation project. She was recommended by Copperstate Farms because of a project she was working on for them at their Snowflake greenhouse location.   She analyzed the pool project and shared a presentation in the October 2020 council meeting where she estimated the renovation to cost $1.9 to $2.3 million. She stated that it could open by December 2021. 

Beginning of Renovation

In the January 2021 meeting, Ms. Harvey presented again to the Snowflake Town Council. She indicated that she has been pleased with local vendors including, Rocky Mountain Plumbing and Restore Pro.  She also advised the council that the project is ahead of schedule. An optimistic date of opening as early as May was suggested. 

The great start, however, has slowed down since then. In the February council meeting, Town Manager, Brian Richards, informed the council that a few change orders have slowed down the project and the completion date is now expected to be in August. The council approved payments for work completed thus far and appears to be committed to see this through. 

When Mayor Lynn Johnson was asked, “Why now when the community has asked for this for the past 7 years?”

He responded, “We always wanted to get the pool back but all of the processes and procedures did not align. The town is in a much different financial situation and the council is much more willing to make a financial commitment.”

The Town of Taylor is also committed to this project as part of the shared services agreement between the two towns. Snowflake and Taylor will proportionately foot the bill to renovate the pool and pay for its maintenance and operation after opening. The price tag for the renovation is now estimated at $2.5 million which will be borrowed and financed. 

The pool was originally an idea born in the late 1960’s and spurned locally by Bess Erickson.  Other members of the community helped to get the pool project started. Communities Recreational Enterprise, a non-profit corporation, was created to help facilitate building a town pool.  Initial board members included Richard Betts, Jim Hagelstine, Bill Hancock, Gary Allen, Steve Clayton, Mozelle Deveraux, Buck Smith, and Ronald Reed. Lillian Brewer was named the first secretary and Bess Erickson, Chairwoman. This non-profit corporation obtained financing for the construction of the pool.  The original estimate from the architect firm who designed the building was $147,000.

The reopening of the Snowflake- Taylor Community Pool is something to be celebrated and its history honored. I recently reviewed a scrapbook created by Bess Erickson. This record includes photos, newspaper clippings, correspondences, finances and fundraising, detailing the efforts of community members. Shane Brimhall, whose father built the original pool, loaned me this invaluable record. The Silver Creek Herald will highlight this history in a two-part series. Be sure to subscribe to keep up to date with this series!

Scrapbook by Bess Erickson