Commissioners back moving forward with CTF park projects including McCarg Court repairs

Parks and recreation staff told the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners that, pending final finance confirmation, the county projects about $550,000 in remaining Community Trust Fund (CTF) dollars and proposed five priority projects to begin if approved.

"We believe we're approximately $550,000 in CTF funding remaining," the staff member said, and listed top priorities: McCarg Court repairs at McCarg Community Center (damaged by a water leak and creating trip hazards), a full replacement of the Fulton Heights Community Center playground (the 'tornado slide' cannot be replaced because of the structure's 1997 installation), adding a concession component with refrigeration and storage, addressing a damaged scoreboard and gym equipment, and acquiring trailers and other lower-ticket equipment.

Staff said bids would be solicited immediately and that some items could be sole-sourced to accelerate repairs. A commissioner emphasized the importance of McCarg Court because of daily use by a Boys and Girls Club and said, "I'm ready to give the green light." The staff member noted the county had already moved some staffing items off the CTF list and that projections were intentionally conservative to allow flexibility.

Commissioners asked whether CTF dollars could cover immediate fire-related operational expenses; staff replied that CTF funding is site‑designated and limited to parks-and-recreation operations (mowers, carts, trailers) and cannot be used for general waste disposal or non-parks expenses. With that constraint understood, commissioners agreed to proceed to preserve the allocation for the year and directed staff to advance bidding and procurement steps.