About Us

 

2007 YEAR IN REVIEW VRD

 

NEW IN 2007

Borne Engineering Report
In 2007, the VRD and Denver-based Borne Engineering completed the first-ever comprehensive engineering study, evaluating the physical condition of Vail’s recreation-based properties and subsequent capital needs for maintenance and repair. In addition, and working in tandem with the Parks and Recreation Plan, the engineering study also explored cost analysis for new and/or updated facilities

 

Recreation Facilities Planning Update
As a deliverable stemming from the Borne Report, a Recreation Facilities Planning Update was delivered to all registered voters in the Town of Vail, educating the public on the serious and immediate capital improvement needs stemming from Vail’s aged and antiquated recreation facilities. Noting the completion of the Recreation Master Plan, the outside experts retained, the VRD team itself, community input gathered and complete with past and future timelines, the piece offered Vail taxpayers some education and insight into current conditions, and will be followed by a piece offering future opportunities.

 

Marketing and Public Relations Department
In 2006, Town of Vail community surveys determined the need for the VRD to better market its recreation programs and facilities to the public. The VRD took note and hired a full-time Marketing Director to lead the charge. John Monson was tasked with communications and marketing endeavors for the VRD. In his first year, Monson helped to increase participation numbers across all programs, elevated advertising efforts, conducted a VRD website overhaul, and brought new collateral materials into the fold including a well-received recreation-specific town map. In addition, the VRD was nominated for 2007 Marketing Campaign of the Year, as recognized by the Vail Valley Partnership.

 

2007 Board of Directors
Contact the Vail Recreation Board Members:
970-479-2279 

Michelle Hall, ext. 7053
mhall@vailrec.com 

Scott Proper, ext. 7054
sproper@vailrec.com 

Ken Wilson, ext. 7052
kwilson@vailrec.com 

Joe Hanlon, ext. 7050 
jhanlon@vailrec.com 

Rick Sackbauer, ext. 7051 
rsackbauer@vailrec.com

 

Mission
The Vail Recreation District is dedicated to offering diverse and exceptional recreation opportunities that enhance the physical, social and emotional well-being of Vail’s residents and guests.

 

VAIL RECREATION DISTRICT:

 

VAIL GOLF CLUB
The Vail Golf Club welcomed two new members to the team this past summer. Alice Plain, Director of Golf, and Jeanne Sutherland, Head Golf Professional, were welcomed back to the Vail Golf Club after many years away. Plain was with the Vail Golf Club from 1993-96 and 1999-2000 while Sutherland returned after15 years as Head Coach for the Texas A&M Golf Team, where she recently enjoyed back-to-back Big XII championships.

 

  • In its 39th year of operation, the Vail Golf Club generated $1.44 million in revenue while operating on a $1.33 million expense budget, and realized 24,600 rounds, up from 22,000 in 2006. Season Pass sales increased 5% this summer. VRD took over operation and management of the Golf Club Proshop…new for 2007.
  • Steve Sarro, Golf Course Superintendent, was awarded “Colorado Golf Person of the Year”, in part for his philanthropic endeavors aiding hurricane-stricken golf courses in post-Katrina New Orleans. 
  • Hosted 5 First Tee Junior 3-day camps + and a Monday First Tee Locals Clinic Program + Fielded a Vail Junior Golf Team, which competed against other local club teams. All new programs from 2006: over 150+ Kids involved with enrollment; first Year of “First Tee for Vail Golf Club through the Eagle County First Tee and the Youth Foundation
  • Other events, stats: Had Women Only Clinics every Friday afternoon – throughout summer- a Big Hit! Up to 20 women each Friday – approximately 150 women participants every week. Hosted 144 participants in the Colorado Junior Golf Association for the Tom Whitehead – planned event, which will return June 25, 2008.
  • Hosted the continuation of the Coal Bucket Classic, a season-ending tournament with over 40 golfers coming out to enjoy one last round before ski season.
  • Welcomed Whirled Peas Grill, now dba Happy Valley Grill, into the clubhouse, serving up food and drink at the 19th hole and out on the course
 

VRD SPORTS
VRD Sports delivers the inside line on the outside action, with numerous sports programs, camps and races for enthusiasts of all ages.

  • Teva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series
    • 5 race series plus 2 non-series events, over 1500 runners competing throughout the summer 
    • Moving into the 2008 series, LaSportiva was finalized as the new Title Sponsor, replacing Teva 
  • Mountain Bike Race Series 
    • Over 1,100 riders competed for over $15,000 in cash and prizes during the six-race series
    • For 2008 the VRD Mountain Bike Race Series will be Celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary
    • The 2008 series will be dedicated to the memory of long-time rider and series supporter Mike Janelle 
  • Adult Sports Leagues 
    • Team participation continued to rise in 2007. Basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball. Softball and flag football all enjoyed participant increases 
  • Youth Sports Camps 
    • Hosted 9 sports camps with over 800 local and visiting children participating. Camps included volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, baseball, performance enhancement and MiniHawk camps. 
    • The valley-wide soccer program was once again managed and operated by VRD Sports, with over 1,000 participating youth 
  • VRD Sports Special Events 
    • Continued to draw some of the largest sports competitions in the nation, including the King of the Mountain Volleyball Tournament, Vail Lacrosse Shootout, Vail Invitational Soccer Tournament, Kick-It 3v3 Soccer Rocky Mountain Region Finals and the Vail Valley Soccer Club Challenge Cup 
    • Out-of-town teams stayed an average of four nights and generated between $4,000 and $15,000 per group in lodging alone. Such figures confirm the need and benefits involved with hosting participatory sporting events 
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VRD YOUTH SERVICES

  • Extreme Camp Vail
    • About 100 kids age 8 – 13 enjoyed Extreme Camp Vail this summer which included outings to Glenwood Caverns, river rafting and visits to Elitch Gardens and Water World 
  • Camp Eco Fun 
    • In conjunction with the Vail Nature Center, Camp Eco Fun hosted summertime fun for nearly 1500 kids age 4 – 11 
    • Camp Eco Fun and the Gore Range Natural Science School hosted guest speakers to enhance the learning. 
  • PreKamp Vail 
    • The only summer camp geared specifically for pre-school age children, PreKamp continued near sellout capacity, with 655 young children enjoying the camp 
  • Camp Vail 
    • 11 full weeks of summertime activities in Vail, including golf, gymnastics, archery and more. 3500 children participated in Camp Vail this summer 
  • Skateboard Clinics 
    • 90 kids came out and improved their skills through weekly skateboard clinics coached by the professional crew from The Board Room 
  • KidZone 
    • After-school recreation and sports at Red Sandstone Elementary, KidZone was the place to be for more than 25 kids per day. In addition, the Edwards Elementary School program realized a 63% increase over 2006 with an average of 22 kids per day. 
    • Over 300 children participated in School’s Out Camp enjoying swimming, skating, and arts & crafts during their breaks from school 
  • Early Childhood 
    • Kids age 3 – 5 enjoyed 10 hours/week of arts and crafts, storybook curriculums and pre-school sports 
  • Special Events 
    • 200 kids came out for the annual Lionshead Easter Egg Hunt, while the 15th annual Trick or Treat Trot played host to over 500 kids out for treats. 
    • Santa’s Workshops continued this year with strong attendance 
    • Skaters enjoyed the Grand Opening of the brand new skatepark atop the Lionshead Parking Structure at the beginning of the summer and came back throughout the summer culminating in a friendly competition in September 
  • Imagination Station 
    • Imagination Station reopened in November after nearly $5,000 worth of improvements, including increased activities and a new mascot to greet the kids
 

DOBSON ICE ARENA
Dobson Ice Arena continues to be the premier skating and hockey facility in the mountain region, as well as host-location to world-class events, concerts and conferences.

  • Hosted over 1500 spectators to holiday-themed skating shows, including 4th of July and Holiday-specific shows 
  • World-class, sold-out concerts played at Dobson throughout 2007, including The Fray and the String Cheese Incident. 
  • Adult leagues continued to increase in participation numbers, hosting over 300 players on 25 teams over the course of 2007. 
  • Fourth Season of Mini Mite hockey, offering lessons to over 50 kids per session. 
  • Learn-to-Skate, Junior Prep and Freestyle and Storytime Skating all experienced participation growth in 2007. 
  • Greg Carter and Bob Johnson Hockley Camps returned, with over 170 participants. 
  • Dobson Ice Arena Maintenance Manager Dennis Jerger celebrated 30 years with the VRD in 2007
 

VAIL NATURE CENTER
The Nature Center hosted thousands of visitors from across the world during summer 2007. The Nature Center enjoyed significant growth in participation, offering a wealth of programs and events for young and old alike.

 

HIGHLIGHTS 

 

  • Hosted a variety of large and small groups including local schools, church groups, Boys and Girls Scouts of America and senior citizen clubs. 
  • Hiking Club membership enjoyed strong growth in 2007 
  • Nearly every student within the Eagle County School District visits the Nature Center by the third grade. 
  • Partnered with Gore Range Natural Science School offering children age six and older an opportunity to learn about the Eagle River watershed.
 

VAIL NORDIC CENTER
During the 2006/07 season, the Vail Golf Club opened the Vail Nordic Center offering snowshoeing and cross country skiing. 

  • Grew nordic track by 15% to 17k of nordic and 10k of snowshoe, groomed daily 
  • Generated $38,000 in revenue while operating at $86,000 expense 
  • Sold passes of some kind to 3,500 nordic enthusiasts 
  • Hosted the Colorado State High School Nordic Championships, seeing hundreds of competitors and spectators visit Vail from throughout the state. 
  • Offered snowshoe tours and skiing lessons throughout the course of the winter and spring 
  • Training site for Vail’s local high school teams
 

VAIL GYMNASTICS CENTER

In its third year of operation, the Gymnastics Center hosted approximately 325 participants per week in numerous programs offered at the center, including gymnastics, trampoline and martial arts, dance, adult gymnastics, and competitive teams.

 

  • Hosted over 100 birthday parties and special group outings in 2007.
  • Operated a regular classes schedule that included over 50 weekly class offerings.
  • Approximately 2500 students participated in the Gymnastics Center learning programs in 2007.
  • Approximately 35 kids per week participated in the ski and snowboard trampoline training programs which include aerial and dry-land training.
  • Vail Gymnastics Teams placed 2nd in the Colorado State Gymnastics Championships, with several individual award winning state champions.
     

VAIL TENNIS CENTER AT FORD PARK
Open Memorial Day through September, the Tennis Center hosts locals and visitors alike to some of the finest clay court tennis in the region.

  • Grew season pass sales by nearly 20% 
  • Hosted players to vast and varied programs, including pro-ams, 60 and older doubles, men’s night, Sunday Morning mixed doubles and children’s clinics 
  • Approximately 160 players participated in the 2007 Annual Bill Wright Colorado Clay Court Open, held in August
 

PARKS DEPARTMENT 

  • Entered its 28th summer season as the caretaker of Vail’s athletic fields and facilities. These fields are used nearly every day over the course of a summer 
  • In addition to fields, upkeep and maintenance of sand volleyball courts, hard-court tennis courts, softball fields, and basketball courts 
  • Solicited by numerous magazines for photographs to feature and showcase Vail’s fields as examples for other recreation departments to follow
 

PARTNERSHIPS
The VRD strengthened numerous relationships throughout the Valley in 2007, including the Vail Chamber and Business Association, The Vail Valley Partnership, The Vail Local Marketing District, the Town of Vail and Vail Resorts to name but a few

 

DEDICATION
Dedicated to Celine Krueger, loving wife of Vail Golf Club’s original superintendent Ben Krueger. Celine, an original Vail pioneer, artist and community leader, passed away in October.

 

VRD ACTIVITY PHONE LIST
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FINANCIALS
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