Montrose, CO – New restrooms and a patio facility in Riverbottom Park will help with the park's increased usage and become an integral part of the city's park system. And best of all, the anticipated construction of the new facility will be completed under the city's original budget for the project.

The City Council will decide at their next meeting, May 1, to approve funding of $398,939.75 for the facility. The city's original budget for the project was $550,000, so the amount saved could be around $151,061.

The restroom facility will be slightly larger than the existing restroom structure and will feature modern amenities like multiple indoor and outdoor electrical outlets, and a water bottle fill station. 

A new 3,000-square-foot concrete patio is proposed for construction alongside the restrooms complete with a large sunshade. The restrooms will be located just west the current facility, and the concrete patio will be placed where the existing sand volleyball court is located. 

The new restroom facility is part of the conceptual Riverbottom Master Plan, which will also upgrade an existing sewer line so waste from the park will drain easier.

The restroom facility is scheduled for completion sometime in November and construction is expected to begin sometime in July.

Ridgway Valley Enterprises was the sole bidder for the project earlier this year. The local company submitted a bid of $379,942.62, which did not include a design of the facility.

Since there was no design at the time of bidding, the city is proposing an additional five-percent, or $18,997.13, to be added to allow flexibility in the design process. This is why the proposed allocation amount was set at $398,939.75.

Ridgway Valley, which is currently working for the City on the new Montrose Urban Renewal Authority, (MURA) development, said it had the resources to complete the restroom facility. 

Montrose City Manager Bill Bell told councilors during Monday's City Council Work Session, the company is “more than capable to handle multiple projects” and could finish the work simultaneously to the ongoing MURA development.

Bell said members from the City's Parks Division and Office of Business and Tourism have been involved in a conceptual design of the facility.

An extended gable, exterior finishes using stone and siding and drinking fountain area, are suggested in the final design. The patio area will feature picnic areas and benches all under a sunshade fabric canopy that is designed to block ultraviolet rays. A visitor information kiosk has also been debated in the design.

The facility will be closed each night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with pre-programed automated locks, which will unlock the facility doors each morning.

The current restroom facility will remain open throughout construction of the new facility, which is scheduled to begin in mid-July. The construction site will be fenced off for the Func Fest, which will be held July 14th.

The city's original budget used $300,000 from the Conservation Trust Fund for Capital Improvements and $250,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for Uncompahgre River Improvements.

A final design is expected for City Council to review at the May 1, regular City Council meeting.

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