Yes, the Montrose County School District (MCSD) is purchasing the existing Field House (FH). Pending the outcomes of its application for a BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today), the intent is for use as a dedicated Pre-K facility, addressing a critical need for early childhood education in our community. As part of this transition, the Montrose Recreation District (MRD) is purchasing property on the north side of town to relocate, expand, and enhance its long-standing Field House services. 

The current Field House is adjacent to Montrose High School at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Rio Grande Avenue. The future Community Fieldhouse is at 1227 and 1233 Mayfly Drive within the Colorado Outdoors development, on the Urban Renewal campus. This location will offer expanded facilities, direct access to the riverfront and trail system, park space, and increased service and partnership opportunities on the north end of Montrose.

The existing Field House (FH) is nearly 40 years old and serves close to 30,000 visitors annually. The community has shown growing demand for the programs offered at the FH, as well as a general ask for improved and expanded facilities. For example, adult indoor soccer participation has increased by over 45% since 2023. The current FH provides around 75 hours a week of programs on the turf field, including, among others: 

• MRD soccer and lacrosse
• MRD After School Enrichment 
• Private sports teams, such as Montrose Tribe and Avalanche
• Batting cage practice
• Birthday party rentals
• Community agencies or groups, such as Audubon Society, rent the turf field and classroom space
• New Horizon youth band practice
• MHS girl’s soccer
• MHS baseball

The FH is showing its age and inefficiencies, and severely limits expansion to meet the current and emerging parks and recreation needs. The building needs either extensive renovations, a move to another larger, more efficient, and modern facility, or a brand-new building. The MRD examined all options to find the best balance between cost and impact. Renovating an existing building rather than building new will accomplish these goals cost-effectively. 

Selling the building to the School District continues a strong legacy of good and useful public facilities and community collaboration among Montrose governmental agencies. MRD gains the funds it needs to continue improving its services to the community, and it helps to give new life to meet other important community needs. 

Relocating the Field House to the Colorado Outdoors development enables the MRD to serve more residents in more areas, with higher-quality services, and will become a second premier facility within the MRD network alongside the Community Recreation Center. It will support a broader range of programming and provide modern, flexible space to meet the needs of a growing community. It does all this while working with MCSD to accomplish its goals through its purchase of the former Field House.

• Closing Feb 24, 2026
• Contract design-build firm mid-Spring
• Public engagement to inform design mid-2026  
• Renovation to begin early 2027
• MRD will remain in the existing Field House through March 2027
• MRD to begin operations in new Community Fieldhouse September 2027

MRD anticipates leaving the FH in April 2027, following the conclusion of the winter programming season, and opening the new Community Fieldhouse in September 2027 for expanded fall programming. The final season of the outdoor pool will be in 2026. There will be no FH programming between April and August 2027. 

The outdoor pool has been so well-loved for 40 years and has been an important part of the MRD’s history and community services. Typically, pools have a 30-year lifespan, so with good care and support, we have made this one last a very long time. Facing sizeable repairs, none of which were guaranteed to extend its life for much longer, complicated our possible options. MRD does not currently have a plan to directly replace the outdoor pool. Estimated costs to construct a new community outdoor pool that meets community needs range from $15 million to $25 million — funding that is simply not available at this time. Importantly, MRD continues to provide robust aquatics amenities at the Community Recreation Center. The facility offers an open-air, summer-like experience and currently meets — and in many ways exceeds — the community’s aquatics needs. 

MRD is purchasing the existing Secret Creek building and land and an adjacent parcel next to the Riverfront Trail for $7.5 million. Renovations are projected to cost $2M.

No new taxes are being used to fund this project. Funding comes from several years of accumulated savings generated through a mix of existing taxes and user fees. MRD paid cash for the property and will use proceeds from the MCSD purchase of the existing Field House. MRD will pursue grants and other external funding sources, as well.

This project supports MRD’s long-term strategy to enhance the quality of life in Montrose, cost-effectively, through dedicated and high-quality programs, parks, and facilities. Guided by the 2022 Comprehensive Master and Strategic Plan, the relocation addresses current and future recreational needs and improves access to high-quality services for north, east, and west Montrose.

The existing Field House is smaller, older, and inefficient, with competing uses that limit programming potential. The new facility provides expanded space, modern amenities, and premier recreation opportunities comparable to the Community Recreation Center. It will also be available to community partner agencies, such as MCSD, who may utilize the space for additional athletic practice or training opportunities.

Mari Steinbach, Executive Director, mari@montrsoerec.com (970) 497-8591     

Barb Sharrow, Board President, sharrow@montroserec.com

We value this exceptional relationship. At this time, we are actively exploring the opportunities.

This has not yet been determined. MRD will engage nonprofits, the business community, and the public throughout the design process to help inform future uses of the facility.

MCSD plans to convert the building into an early childhood center. For more information, please contact MCSD directly at mikayla.unruh@mcsd.org.

Secret Creek is relocating. As soon as MRD has any information, we can help in sharing.

Pricing and membership options are still being discussed. MRD looks forward to discussing these topics with the community during public engagement and will carefully evaluate all options.

This multi-use facility will provide something for all ages at an accessible location. It is to be designed and operated to the same standard as the Community Recreation Center, and its location and space allow expanded access to the community. Its location also creates a hub of activity and greater presence along the river corridor, and adds to the parks and recreation amenities already there. Whether you choose to directly use this facility, you’ll have a close friend or family member who does.

The approximately 32,000-square-foot open-span building will include two artificial turf fields, classrooms and community rooms, fitness areas, and office space for frontline service staff. Additional uses will be shaped through public engagement, and updates will be shared as plans progress.

Flex Rec will be closed in advance of the move to the new Field House. An expanded fitness facility, to include Flex Rec equipment and a variety of other equipment options, will be incorporated within the New Field House. We will communicate more about this as the project develops.  

All Points Transit is opening a new facility that will house its fleet.