The Montrose County School District has finalized the purchase of the Field House property at 25 Colorado Ave. from the Montrose Recreation District, allowing the school district to plan for a potential Early Childhood Center while prompting a major relocation and expansion of recreation services on the north side of town.
The property, adjacent to Montrose High School at Colorado and Rio Grande avenues, will be used as a dedicated Pre-K facility if the district’s application for the state’s Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant program is approved.
“Providing strong early childhood opportunities is a top priority for our district, and if BEST funding is awarded, this site would allow us to bring those services together in one location,” Superintendent Dr. Carrie Stephenson said via a news release. “Its proximity to our existing facilities also allows us to use our space and resources strategically in support of students and families well into the future.”
Development of an Early Childhood Center depends on the outcome of the grant process, but district leaders said the site’s location and long history as a public facility make it a strong long-term asset.
Montrose Rec District staff and board members stand in front of the building which will house the future Field House with John Gibson, owner of Secret Creek. MRD bought its new riverside property for $7.5 million and projects to spend $2 million in renovations. (MRD photo)
Rec District relocating and expanding
As part of the transition, the Montrose Recreation District is purchasing property at 1227 and 1233 Mayfly Drive within the Colorado Outdoors development to create a new Community Fieldhouse.
According to information provided by MRD, the 3.4-acre site includes the existing Secret Creek building and an adjacent parcel near the Riverfront Trail. MRD is purchasing the property for $7.5 million, with approximately $2 million in projected renovation costs.
The Montrose Business Times wasn’t able to confirm where Secret Creek would be moving its yurt and tipi-manufacturing space by publication time.
The future Community Fieldhouse will be located within the Colorado Outdoors urban renewal campus — a developing riverfront district on Montrose’s north end that includes trail access, park space and mixed-use development. MRD officials said the new location will offer expanded facilities, improved partnerships and better access for residents in north, east and west Montrose.
According to MRD, the current Field House is nearly 40 years old and serves close to 30,000 visitors annually. Participation has grown sharply in recent years, with adult indoor soccer participation increasing more than 45% since 2023.
The existing facility provides roughly 75 hours of weekly turf programming, including MRD soccer and lacrosse, After School Enrichment programs, private sports teams such as Montrose Tribe and Avalanche, batting cage practice, birthday rentals, community groups such as the Audubon Society, New Horizon youth band practice and Montrose High School athletics.
MRD said the aging building is inefficient and limits expansion. The district examined renovation, relocation and new construction options and determined that renovating an existing building at Colorado Outdoors would provide the best balance between cost and community impact.
“This agreement reflects the strong partnership between our two districts and our shared commitment to serving Montrose,” said Mari Steinbach, executive director of the Montrose Recreation District. “Recreation programs will continue without disruption, and this transition positions both organizations to meet community needs for years to come.”
MRD said no new taxes are being used to fund the project. According to the district, the property purchase was paid in cash using accumulated savings from existing taxes and user fees, along with proceeds from MCSD’s purchase of the current Field House. MRD officials said the district also plans to pursue grants and other external funding.
Timeline
According to MRD, the closing date is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2026. A design-build firm is expected to be contracted in mid-spring 2026, with public engagement to inform design occurring later in the year. Renovation is projected to begin in early 2027.
MRD plans to remain in the existing Field House through March 2027, with operations beginning at the new Community Fieldhouse in September 2027. There will be no Field House programming between April and August 2027.
Outdoor pool closing after 2026 season
The final season of the outdoor pool will be 2026.
MRD officials said the pool has operated for approximately 40 years and has exceeded the typical 30-year lifespan of most outdoor facilities. The district said the pool is facing significant repairs that would not guarantee long-term viability.
MRD does not currently have plans to directly replace the outdoor pool. According to district estimates, construction costs for a new community outdoor pool would range from $15 million to $25 million — funding officials say is not available at this time.
The district noted that aquatics services will continue at the Community Recreation Center, which includes open-air features intended to provide a summer-like experience.
What the new facility will include
According to MRD, the approximately 32,000-square-foot open-span building will feature two artificial turf fields, classrooms and community rooms, fitness areas and office space for frontline service staff.
Additional programming will be shaped through public engagement later this year.
Flex Rec, currently operating within Colorado Outdoors, will close in advance of the move. MRD said its equipment will be incorporated into an expanded fitness area within the new Fieldhouse.
All Points Transit is also opening a new facility near the existing Field House site to house its fleet.
Long-term strategy
MRD officials said the relocation aligns with the district’s 2022 Comprehensive Master and Strategic Plan, which calls for enhancing quality of life through cost-effective, high-quality parks and recreation services.
Relocating to Colorado Outdoors, officials said, will create a second premier facility within the MRD network alongside the Community Recreation Center and support expanded recreation opportunities for a growing community.
Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.
