Exciting things are happening at Ski Hi Regional Complex in Monte Vista. Friends of Ski Hi Park, in collaboration with the City of Monte Vista, share the vision of building a new and improved multi-use event and conference center at the present site of the Ski Hi Park multi-use building and old swimming pool in Monte Vista.

The current facility is a regional use facility and has served the community well throughout the years: Ski-Hi Stampede, the Monte Vista Crane Festival, the San Luis Valley Fair and many other events have taken place there through the years.
However, the facility has seen better days and now has safety issues that must be addressed. Through an extensive review and development process, a plan has been developed to demolish the current facility and build a new, modern center to meet the current and future needs of the San Luis Valley community and entire southcentral region.  

The aim is to fund the construction of the new building primarily with support from foundations and other entities, such as the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).

However, to obtain grants from DOLA and foundations, it is vital that the community demonstrates belief in and is invested in the project. Thus, Friends of Ski Hi Park is seeking to raise five to 10 percent of the total construction costs to use as a match for grant applications — at least $875,000. The plan also includes in-kind donations of services for a large portion of the demolition from contractors. Several contractors have committed to helping.

The Friends have already received funds from major local donors, sitting at a total of $512,000 in cash and pledges. In addition, they have secured a $2,000,000 pledge to the project from the Outcalt Foundation.

For more information on this project, check out www.friendsofskihi.com or find them on Facebook at “friendsofskihi.”