Building Campaign

Our goal is to be in a dedicated curling facility by the next Winter Olympics, in February 2014. This means we'd need to have funding and building plans finalized by early 2013 to be able to take advantage of the surge of interest expected the following year. Donate.

Updated February 2012:

A Recap of the Facility Search Process

Beginning last March, a process was begun to determine what, if any, practical options were available to the DCC for its own curling facility.  The purpose was to search for any viable opportunity that would allow us to control our future and enable us to promote and grow our sport to a far greater degree than we can presently.  With those goals in mind the following actions were taken:

1. Mail campaigns were undertaken to economic development councils, cities, and park and recreation districts throughout the Denver metro area (possible 'public partners').  Then several buildings, both 'for lease' and 'for sale', were reviewed.  Finally, a land option was examined.  All of this was done to get a feel for which options might be genuine opportunities and what each might tell us about their respective cost.

2. No real 'public partner' was revealed other than the Town of Bennett, outside the Denver metro area.  It is viewed as too remote and offering little other than town-owned ground that can be used for a facility, but not actually acquired by the DCC.

3. Ultimately, leasing doesn't give us the control desired for our long-term future.  Possible properties for lease are generally found in warehouse districts, have limited parking, and can be lacking in nearby amenities.  In addition, renovations would be significant and perhaps also restricted by a landlord.

4. Buying an existing building seems surprisingly expensive when compared to new construction and when the cost of an ice system, renovations, code upgrades, etc. are considered.  Again, buildings for sale are near other warehouses, can have limited parking, and can have few nearby amenities that would be attractive to our members and guests.

5. In starting the search for new building sites, a piece of ground on the west side of town became a particularly attractive possibility.  This site does have good accessibility and several nearby amenities such as numerous restaurants, shopping, movie theaters, and several hotels.  The land is near the 6^th Avenue and Indiana interchange in Lakewood.

The ground can be made available without the DCC having to buy the property and it would be exempt from property taxes - our single biggest operating expense.  The land would be leased for a nominal amount and the DCC would have the right to buy the ground at its convenience.  A tax-exempt improvement district is willing to further assist us with certain related construction costs that we would otherwise have to cover.  

And lastly, a DCC member is willing to provide a significant portion of the needed funds in the form of a long-term, low interest rate loan, PROVIDED the broader membership raises funds itself through donations and loans.  This is a 2-for-1 match up to a one million dollar loan on the part of that DCC member.  If we take full advantage of the matching offer, the DCC would raise about 70-75% or more of what is needed.  If we get that far, momentum should help us find other sources for the balance.