Friends of Ski Hi receive $25K donation from Del Norte Bank

Del Norte Bank President Mike Hurst presented members of the Friends of Ski Hi with a check for $25,000 to help with costs associated with the Ski Hi Regional Event & Conference Center project in Del Norte Tuesday, Feb. 11. Courtesy photo


DEL NORTE- During the Upper Rio Grande Economic Development (URGED) meeting held at the Windsor Hotel in Del Norte, the Friends of Ski Hi were presented with a check for $25,000 from Del Norte Bank to help with the Ski Hi Regional Events & Conference Center.
Del Norte President Mike Hurst presented the check to Friends of Ski Hi member Karla Shriver, who took a moment to speak about the project and update URGED members on the project’s progress. “This project is gaining great momentum and we would like to thank Del Norte Bank for stepping up and being a partner in this Valley-wide regional project. It is amazing what is happening out there in the community as far as the excitement.”
The Town of Monte Vista recently hosted the annual Agricultural Conference at the Ski Hi building and through those efforts, the organization was able to gain even more attention to the project and in turn has now raised close to $500,000 toward their $875,000 goal. Shriver continued stating, “Without partners such as Del Norte Bank, Rio Grande Savings and Loan, Rio Grande County as well as so many others, none of this would be possible. It is just amazing what is happening. The Valley community is seeing the want and the need for this particular facility.”
Shriver also stated that the organization is reaching out to other counties and local organizations for support in this project and will continue to work to reach their goal. The organization, with the help of several key players, is working to finalize grant applications and is speaking with other grant makers to aid in making this dream a reality.
The current facility is in dire need of repair and is not in the best shape for some of the events held in the facility. Even during the Ag conference, it was apparent to anyone who attended that there is the need for a new facility with the opportunities for a new building being endless.  Not only would the project be a huge benefit to the economy of the entire Valley, but it would also present a huge benefit to citizens as well.
During the Agricultural Conference this past week, several vendors showed their support by donating fees to the project. “The conference is a huge educational and business driver for the agricultural community and is only one of the many events held at the building that helps stimulate economic growth throughout the Valley,” said Shriver.
Construction for the new building is projected to begin after the SLV Fair and will cost $8.6 million once completed.