POOLS OF GRATITUDE

THE OLD TOWN HOT SPRINGS RENOVATION

Many people don’t realize The Old Town Hot Springs is not funded by tax dollars from the city, county, or state, but is a non-profit. It’s also the only public pool in all of Routt County...

Located smack-dab in the middle of downtown, Old Town Hot Springs has been at the center of the Steamboat community since before the town was even established. “We are operational through member passes, day passes, and donations,” says Vanessa Cory, Old Town Hot Springs Marketing Director. “A few years ago, we determined that the facility was bursting at the seams, and there was an opportunity to better serve the community.”

A 5-year capital campaign was initiated to raise $10 million to fund a major renovation. Last spring, the first phase was completed with a brand-new climbing wall, state-of-the-art fitness center, including cardio, fitness classes, and a weight room, offering an additional 15,000 sq ft to the existing 20,000 sq ft building.

The original hot spring has been there in one form or another for over 100 years. Here’s a fun fact to share at cocktail parties: The Ute Indians who first settled the area knew them as “medicine” springs, frequenting them for sacred physical and spiritual healing. Later the pools were likely a gathering and bathing place for the first homesteaders. The famous Heart Spring, the source of all the healing mineral water in the eight pools, pumps approximately 220 gallons per minute and comes out of the ground like an artesian well—without the use of manmade pumps.

The capital campaign has reached 75 percent of its $10 million-dollar fundraising goal and hopes to raise the remaining funds by March 2022. The next phase will include a major overhaul and reconstruction of the lap pool and kiddie pool area in the late summer of 2021. “The goal is to create space for everybody. It’s an important initiative for us to expand because we are the only public pool in Routt County. It’s essential to get our kids comfortable with water with the river and lakes and to educate everyone on water safety.”

Here’s a wrap-up of what’s been completed so far:

Fitness

There’s a 3,700 ft indoor climbing wall and an indoor walking track that goes around the top level of the fitness center. There’s more space for cardio and weight training, special functional training, and two studios for group exercise classes and a spin room for spin classes.

Facilities and Amenities

The locker rooms were expanded, and a second family changing room was added. There’s also a new community room that can be broken up into two smaller rooms and has a full kitchen that can be used for nutrition classes and to provide food and drink for other gatherings. “This is a space where the community can come and be educated about health and wellness,” Cory says. “It’s a space for people to gather, for business meetings and classes. Having that extra space has made a huge difference.” There’s a dedicated space for CPR and water safety instruction, and the massage rooms have also been expanded. “Massage is one of the amenities a lot of people don’t know about. We have some of the best rates in town and a staff of amazing certified massage therapists.”

How you can help

Not only is your membership fee and daily fee important, Old Town Hot Springs heavily relies on donations. If you would like to make a donation, visit the website.

//oldtownhotsprings.org