NCA July board meeting

The Niwot Community Association (NCA) held its monthly board meeting on July 6th in the Mountain View Fire Rescue Niwot station conference room.

There were two guests from Niwot Youth Sports (NYS), a local non-profit that has launched a new project to make improvements to the Hangge Fields at Monarch Park. There will be several improvements to the fields, but most importantly, a new building to replace the shipping containers and port-a-potties that are currently on site.

Fundraising coordinator Riki Frea spoke about the 50-year history of NYS. She estimated that over 1,000 kids participate in NYS programs each year in baseball, softball,basketball, flag football and soccer. In some cases, multiple generations within families have played in NYS programs.

Frea provided handouts showing the design for the new building, which will have restrooms, storage space and a concession stand. This will vastly improve the experience for athletes and spectators.

Pat Longseth, Executive Director of NYS and an alum, described the financial aspects of this project. Fundraising has already begun, and a crowdfunding campaign has raised over $100,000 towards the total cost of $500,000 .He said that work will begin soon, with groundbreaking in November and the installation of a sewer system connection.

Frea emphasized that lights will not be installed in the fields and there will not be a loud Public Address system. Board member John Barto, who lives near the fields, recommended that the project give a presentation to neighbors in order to keep them informed about the project.

The NCA offered to promote the crowdfunding campaign. When the project is completed, it will provide an income stream through tournaments and concession sales.

Next on the agenda, NCA Board Vice-President Julie Nelsen-Breyer reported on the outcome of two of the NCA's big annual events. Board events planner Kim Hawksworth, Kathy Koelher, the NCA Road Crew, and Breyer were instrumental in making these events happen.

The Slepicka family had approached the NCA about putting on the Tractor Show for the enjoyment of the Niwot community on June 25. The NCA embraced the idea, providing traffic management, portable toilets and other planning and infrastructure. Free rides were provided to those in need by Misha Barrett, using his electric golf cart. The Slepicka family put on a great show, entertaining and educating people who have long been curious about all the tractors in the yard at the Slepicka home on 79th Street. Improvements will be made to the event in the future, as it is planned to be an annual event for Niwot.

Breyer then talked about the outcome of the NCA's showcase event of the year, the 4th of July Parade. This was the first full parade since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the route was extended to make staging the lineup more manageable. Having this extra room made it easier to accommodate the longest parade has had with some late and larger-than-expected entries. There were only a few complications, which she reported will be remedied next year.

Many people gathered near the beginning of the route, near the Cottonwood Square shopping center, which was a good location for the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band to play the National Anthem. There was a great turnout of kids on their decorated bikes who jointed the parade. There were many compliments and few complaints about the parade this year, Breyer reported

The NCA's next event is the annual National Night Out, on August 2nd. This event gives Niwotians a chance to socialize with people from the Sheriff's Office and the Mountain View Fire Protection District, and to recognize and honor first responders in the community.

The event will feature free hot dogs and drinks on Murray Street near the 2nd Avenue intersection, from 6 to 8 p.m., with music provided by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band.