Commissioners approve renovation plans

by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG — The Huerfano County Commissioners approved a master lease purchase agreement for new storm windows, blinds and lighting for the county courthouse. The total cost for the project is around $300,000 including interest, from U.S. Bank. The agreement for repayment is 60 months. Some lighting improvements will also take place at the county jail.
The commissioners also approved a runway lighting project at Johnson Field near Walsenburg. It is part of a 1.2 million dollar project to make improvements to runways and lighting.
A $3,000 payment was approved by the commissioners to help pay for new air conditioning needs inside a building on Sheep Mountain used for communication purposes. San Isabel Electric Association, the county, and the 9-1-1 board are collaborating in a cost sharing measure to protect the equipment from extreme heat. The old unit is beyond repair. The money was contingent on the 9-1-1 board also contributing $3,000 to the project, which they are in favor of doing.
County Administrator John Galusha held a public meeting Wednesday night, August 8, at the Huerfano County Community Center to show plans for proposed improvements to Fiesta Park. Galusha plans to apply for a grant from Greater Outdoors Colorado to fund the projects.
The number one priority is new lighting for the ball fields. The second priority is to build a T-ball field.
Another long term future plan for Fiesta Park is to build an indoor swimming pool to serve the needs of people in this area.
Galusha would like the City of Walsenburg to close the 9th Street access to the park because of safety issues.
He also plans to ask the commissioners for a resolution to close Fiesta Park by 10 pm each evening in an effort to curb vandalism and other problems.