Should the West Custer County Hospital District act as sponsoring agent for the Custer 2020 organization, which is seeking grant proceeds from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to purchase the Club America pool complex in Silver Cliff?

That is exactly what the WCCHD board of directors is considering.

In a split decision, with Jon Wallestad, Karla Joseph and Trish Leavitt voting yes, and Roy Gillmore and Dee Hoag voting no, the board of directors will continue to pursue the request.

Action occurred during the board of directors’ regular meeting on June 18.

At that time, Wallestad said Custer 2020 was seeking $450,000 in grant proceeds from DOLA to help with the purchase of the Club America facility.

If the grant were to be awarded, Custer 2020 would have to kick in another $450,000.

Custer 2020 must have a government agent sponsor the grant to submit the application to DOLA. The deadline for submission is Aug. 1.

Earlier this year, Custer 2020 submitted a similar grant proposal to DOLA. That request, which totaled $900,000, was turned down. The hospital district served as the sponsoring agent.

Reportedly, DOLA denied the request citing lack of community support for the project.

Custer 2020 took over operation of Club America in September 2008. Prior to that, the facility was built, owned and operated by Jerry and Mary Seifert.

The Seiferts are currently leasing Club America to Custer 2020 in hopes the organization will purchase it in the near future.

The WCCHD board of directors wants to know how the community feels about the hospital district serving as sponsoring agent.

If the WCCHD decides to be the sponsoring agent, then they would likely be financially liable should the grant be awarded and Custer 2020 took ownership of the pool complex, or if Custer 2020 went defunct within a specified time frame.

That time frame and other details regarding the WCCHD fiduciary responsibilities  would be established in the contract should the grant be awarded.  Custer 2020 and the WCCHD would have to sign the final contract before any money exchanges hands. 

Written comments regarding the matter can be dropped off at the Custer County Medical Center during regular business hours. They can also be mailed to 704 Edwards Street or PO Box 120, Westcliffe 81252. All written correspondence should be addressed to executive director Terry Nimnicht.

While the hospital board is only considering  sponsoring the grant application, they will hear a formal proposal from Custer 2020 officials during their next regular meeting slated for July 16 at 5 p.m. in the conference room at the clinic. As always, the meeting is open to the public.

A final decision regarding whether to act as sponsoring agent for the grant proposal will likely be made following the presentation.

– Nora Drenner