By Shannon Lukens.
Local veterans are making plans to renovate and revitalize the old VFW building, in the 9th block of Lincoln Ave. in downtown Steamboat Springs. They want to make it a central gathering place for veterans and active duty military personnel and their families. It was built in 1898. It has been part of Gambles Department store, a bank, a barber shop, a bowling alley, and a bar.
Then in 1948, the building was home to the VFW, which is the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW post agreed to donate the building to become The Veterans Center. But $3M dollars in repairs is needed, especially after the 2019 fire next door at what was then the Steamboat Smokehouse.
Jeff Steck is the president of the Board of Directors for the Veterans Center. He says these places used to be community centers, and they want this building to be that again.
“We wanted to restore it to be a community center, that would serve veterans, of course, but also serve the greater Steamboat community. Ideally, I hope this place is used 24-hours a day, seven days a week by someone in the community. We want to give back. We’re grateful that we’re here. We just want to serve the community and our veterans.”
The Veterans Center has been set up as a 501©3, run by the VFW members. It will have a full kitchen and a vet center to serve about 1,200 estimated veterans in Routt County. They’re working on grants, but they are also fundraising to hopefully raise enough money by the end of January 2024.
The bar has since been removed. Part of the drywall has also been removed. Underneath it, you can see the original white wood and glass storefront. Another layer shows cinder block and bricks were placed in front of it as a new façade.
The Veterans Center always has a tent at the Farmers Market so stop by and say hello. They also have a website on which you can donate. It’s at SteamboatVeterans.org
- D. Jeffrey Steck, President djsteck11@gmail.com
- Bruce Hannon, Vice President bhannon3642@gmail.com
- Loretta Kuhlman, Secretary/Treasurer jerryandloretta@comcast.net
- Joe Armstrong, Sr., Director armstrongjoesr123@gmail.com
- Jim Stanko, Director jstankoranch@gmail.com
Contact: 970-846-9746 or email: TheVetsCenter@gmail.com
The Veterans Center, P.O. Box 883323, Steamboat Springs, CO 80488
VFW IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS FUNDRAISING FOR REPAIRS TO DOWNTOWN BUILDING
Great Outdoors Colorado, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and Governor Polis have announced a $250,000 grant to Routt Recreation & Conservation Roundtable. The funding will help the coalition finalize a Conservation and Recreation Plan for Routt County, host meetings, and conduct research to determine regional priorities.
Team members from Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s office are having mobile office hours to meet with constituents on Thursday, July 13. They’ll be at the Craig Chamber of Commerce building in Craig from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Then they’re headed to meet in the City Town Hall of Meeker from 2-3 p.m.
UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center has been recognized for breastfeeding excellence by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The award honors hospitals for having implemented at least six of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. This is the first year YVMC has received the award.
In news from LiftUp of Routt County, they want to remind you to please bring in your donation items clean, and also like new or gently used. Nothing stained or dirty, or missing pieces. And if they have been stored for a while, please check for bugs or rodents. The donation center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
LiftUp also needs egg cartons, if you have some. They can be dropped off at the Steamboat Food Bank, during the day, Monday through Friday.
And last Saturday’s Produce Drive with The Steamboat Group resulted in nearly 2,000 pounds of fresh produce and canned goods.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.