In December of 2021 the Jeffco School Board voted to partner up with the City of Arvada and APEX Recreation (funded 50% by property taxes) and build a 35 million dollar swimming facility for the residents of Arvada. This was to replace the aging Meyers Pool. Much was written about the issue. Who was footing the bill? Who was allowed to use the pool? Most were asking “why aren’t the promised bond commitments completed first before paying for a new Olympic size pool?”
Fast forward to earlier this month when the School Board voted to up its contribution for the Arvada Aquatic Center by 9 million dollars. The cost of the project has now escalated to a whopping 46 million dollars. Where is this money coming from? Good question!
As 16 elementary schools were shut down last year (July 2023) due to budgetary reasons, with 2 schools per year being sold to developers. Allendale and Zerger have already been sold to Cardel Homes, who plan on building single family homes on each of the properties. While the 10 acres at Vivian Elementary School grounds are in the process of being sold. The City of Lakewood has stepped in at the last minute with a possible purchase of 3 of these acres. Glennon Heights and Thomson Elementary are both being marketed to developers now.
What should we expect with the 2 schools in Wheat Ridge that were shut down last year? Kullerstrand and Wilmore Davis will at some point be marketed to developers. Again, in the name of raising funds for a school district that is “in dire need of money.”
My sources tell me that the expected new bond ballot question is “being delayed”. Voters are unlikely to approve any more requests for dollars. Certainly not until the upward of 900 million dollar bond (the bond plus cost of repayment) promises are delivered. Many Wheat Ridge High School Farmers, that supported the bond initiative, are still waiting on the remodeled high school that was promised to this community.
Short of a shock reversal to the birthrate in Colorado, the continuing drop in enrollment will lead to more closures including at the middle and high school levels. Despite its great teachers and programs, Wheat Ridge High has now dropped to below the 1,000 student threshold. Growing enrollment in Charter schools and the dropping birth rates are mostly to blame.
With Jeffco Board of Education footing the bill for 50% of the new 46 million dollar Arvada Swimming Center, should Wheat Ridge tax payers now expect Jeffco to also step in when it’s time to replace our very own Wheat Ridge Rec Center pool?
