Fremont County commissioners and staff, along with representatives from Corsentino Construction, hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pathfinder Pavilion Arena on Tuesday at Pathfinder Regional Park. (Carie Canterbury – Daily Record)
It’s already been broken in and put to good use, but Tuesday, Fremont County officials took time out to host an official ribbon-cutting event for the new Pathfinder Pavilion Arena.
“We are so excited about what this pavilion means – in addition to our Event Center – for the future of the county and how things evolve out here year-round, and what this looks like – long after the three of us are gone out of our positions – down the road for the future for the people of Fremont County,” said Fremont County Commissioner Chairman Kevin Grantham. “It’s very, very exciting.”
The Future is Now: Fremont County breaks ground on Pathfinder Pavilion Covered Arena
The large-scale project rounds out the multi-use event venue and build-out at Pathfinder Regional Park.
The 160-foot by 300-foot covered arena has an attached 34-foot by 80-foot classroom, which faces north. The fully accessible classroom portion has two restrooms, storage and an announcer’s booth for the arena.
The space is open to the public for rent for events but also is used for many 4-H meetings and programs.
“I think what we’ve created here is absolutely perfect,” said Commissioner Debbie Bell. “It’s perfect for Fremont County now and it is going to be perfect for Fremont County in the future.”
The Cañon City Recreation and Park District and Fremont County partnered in November 2005 and broke ground on what would be Pathfinder Regional Park.
“This is one more facility out here that was in the master plan that we developed back then, 18 years ago,” said retired County Commissioner Tim Payne, who also served eight years on the Cañon City Recreation and Park District Board of Directors. “It’s been quite a journey seeing all of this be developed.”
Fremont County Commissioner Dwayne McFall said the certificate of occupancy was issued just days before pens were set up for the 2023 Fremont County Fair and Rodeo in July.
The cost of the new pavilion cost $2.8 million, which was paid for largely using savings from certificates of participation refinancing and American Rescue Plan funds.
“All of the money we have is taxpayer money as a county government, but we didn’t use any direct taxpayer funds to pay for either one of these facilities,” he said. “It came from federal money and grants. I hope we use it wisely for many, many, many years to come.”
Throughout the years, the county has added a number of facilities and amenities, one at a time.
“This has been a long time coming for the family,” said Amanda Ellis, who is a leader with Beaver Park Ag 4-H Club. She has three generations of family members who have taken part in Fremont County 4-H and the annual county fair. “It was really awesome having all of the animals in one spot” during this year’s fair.
Julianne Dinkel, the Fremont County Extension Director, said everyone at the fair time seemed pleased with the new amenities.
“It was an amazing facility for the fair,” she said. “There is so much space – and to have everyone together and at one location was really great.”
The covered arena joins the Event Center, which boasts a full commercial kitchen, auditorium, and meeting space; and the Outdoor Arena, which features spectator stands, back holding pens, announcers stand, restrooms, and warm-up arena. The park also features plenty of parking and outdoor space for the many different events it hosts each year.
Pathfinder Regional Park is located at 6655 Colo. 115, between Cañon City and Florence. For more information visit www.pathfinderparkeventcenter.com, email pathfinderpark@fremontco.com or call 719-276-7399.