On Tuesday, October 21st, the City Council was pleased to hear progress updates from the city’s Parks and Recreation director, Amber Magee, and the city’s History, Arts, Recreation and Parks (HARP Board). The all-volunteer board includes Chair Casey Davis and Mark Stetchschulte, a candidate for city council this year.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
The Parks & Recreation department:
Continues to see uptake in youth and adult recreation opportunities across all offerings, receives positive revenues from the programs, and believes they are offering a high-quality product for the relatively lower costs, compared to neighboring jurisdictions.
Is facing a budget crunch for 2026, but has cut costs and increased revenue this year;
Is eager to make capital improvements to parks, including Citizens Park and Walker-Branch Park, should financial funding mechanisms be found;
The HARP board has:
Finished a third edition of the Edgewater History Book (buy it on Amazon!);
Applied for a grant for a new mural in town (they want community input!);
Continues to sort through hundreds of artifacts from the city’s history at the civic center.
The city’s communications & events team has five major priorities for 2026 – including to strengthen the use of the Ask Edgewater App so citizens know they can communicate directly with a staff member. You can download it!
Parks & Recreation Updates
The city’s Parks and Recreation Director, Amber Magee, briefed the city council on increasing uptake of the city’s recreation programs and the status of parks across the city. Her update included:
POSITIVE REVIEWS | The city averages 800 uses of recreation facilities per month, has had more than 100 attendees per month at programming for those over 55, and nearly 500 participants in youth sports. Magee reported continued positive reviews of the facilities and programs from residents.
C.R.E.A.T.E SCHOLARSHIPS | “Connecting Residents of Edgewater with Activity, Teamwork & Engagement” scholarships are available for any student who needs financial support to participate in Edgewater’s youth sports programs. You can learn more about the youth programs and the scholarship program.
There are no fees for several after-school programs the city runs, and fees are significantly lower ($35) in Edgewater for other youth sport programs in the area.
BUDGET CRUNCH | Costs for running facilities, retaining vendors, buying supplies, and paying staff within the parks and recreation department are projected to go up in 2026, in line with broader economic trends — that is creating a budget crunch for the department and the city more broadly.
Magee gave several examples of contracts the city terminated this year to cut costs, including — for example — deciding to not outsource laundry services.
Magee noted that the city’s adult fitness classes are not fully recovering their costs, in part because there are several private fitness offerings in and near Edgewater.
Recreation fees may slightly increase next year to help the city balance its budget, according to Magee, who believed such fee increases would be justified given the quality of programming offered by the department.
MASTER PLAN | The city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for capital investments to improve parks across the city. Funding mechanisms for them have not been found, however. Mayor Steve Conklin wanted the public to know their input and feedback during the comprehensive plan process was appreciated and still on the mind of staff and elected officials.
2026 PRIORITIES | The Parks & Recreation team will prioritize safety, compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), regular and deferred maintenance, subsidized after-school and senior programs, library partnerships, and improvements to sidewalks at Citizens Park.
WALKER-BRANCH | There is a master plan for Walker-Branch Park, but there is not a revenue stream or grantor to execute the plan.
The park, located next to the civic center, is run in partnership with the city of Lakewood, which may have some funds to make improvements, according to
The original cost of Phase I of the park’s master plan was $1.1M, but may now cost $1.5-$2M to execute, given rising costs in the economy.
PARK @ 26TH & KENDALL | The city has added picnic tables to a small “pocket park” at the corner of 26th and Kendall; the mayor and staff are interested in continuing to make improvements.
HORSE SHOES | Residents can reserve the horse shoe courts at Citizens Park for $12/hour (do so on Play Edgewater). “Horseshoe Larry” maintains the courts for the city and hosts weeknight events and Sunday tournaments.
TENNIS COURTS | The city may consider asking the school district about making the tennis courts at 24th and Pierce street available for public use; they previously were open to residents who had contacted the city for a lock code, but were closed due to vandalism concerns.
HARP Board Updates
The city’s History, Arts, Recreation, and Parks (H.A.R.P.) board includes Casey Davis, Melissa Denis, Alex Donaldson, Lauren Klepac, Kelsey Lindsey, Daniel Thies, and Mark Stetchschulte. Edgewater residents can provide input to the board by email (contact information is available).
At Tuesday’s meeting, Chair Casey Davis provided an update on recent progress made on the city’s board. Those updates included:
HISTORY BOOK | Lauren Klepic led a process this year to revise a history book about the city: “Edgewater, Colorado: 120 Years of Growth, Resilience, and Community Spirit.”
The third revision included community input and resulted in 42 adjustments.
The HARP board hopes to revise the book each year. You can purchase it.
MURAL | Kelsey Lindsey is spearheading a project to do another mural project in Edgewater.
The board submitted a letter of intent for grant funding for the project;
The board will know by November if they are awarded resources for the project, after which they will seek community input on how the mural should honor the community’s history and values
ARTIFACTS | The HARP board established a systematic process to deaccession items from the city’s museum;
Mark Stetchschulte developed criteria to evaluate whether historical items in the city’s possession should be discarded (for example, if there are duplicates, of poor quality, lacking context, available online, or not related to Edgewater)
The HARP board has been working through troves of articles and artifacts at the city’s civic center, and brainstorming what to do about them.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES | At the encouragement of city council member Hannah Gay Keao, the HARP board adapted a three-page overview with “guiding principles” to inform the public and other stakeholders the role of HARP, which is primarily to advise the council on history, arts, recreation, and parks related topics.
125/150/250 CELEBRATIONS | Next year will be the 125th anniversary of Edgewater applying for its home rule charter status with the state. It coincides with the 150th anniversary of the state and 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The Mayor has issued a “charge” to celebrate the anniversaries.
The HARP board has been considering ideas, like a time capsule, license plate covers commemorating Edgewater, a set of charms reflecting the city’s top locations, and post-card like recipes shared with residents.
The Mayor encouraged the HARP board to continue to brainstorm on ideas, and offered his own: inviting local businesses with historical significance to Edgewater to participate in the year-long celebration; he noted, for example, that Lakeview Lounge used to be Edgewater’s Post Office.
Communications and Events Department
The city’s Communications and Events Director Kalah Hardt briefed the council on her department’s priorities for 2026 which are to:
Increase in city mailers and promotion for services, programs, and important resident information.
Increase in city engagement at local business events.
Continue growth and local engagement at city-hosted events.
MaintainADA accessibility standards
Increase AskEdgewater App use.
The App, which readers can download, allows residents to contact a staff member about any issue directly, among other features.
Tyler Fisher is the Publishing Editor of the Edgewater Echo. He is volunteering his time to educate Edgewater residents about what is happening in their community, and he welcomes the help of other community members interested in writing for the Echo and helping to promote it.
Tyler is also the Founder and Principal of Trailmark Strategies — a boutique strategy consulting firm that works with philanthropists, nonprofits, and mission-driven companies. Tyler primarily consults on mental health, democracy, and housing projects. Tyler is also a Research Fellow at Harvard’s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, Senior Advisor at Dalberg, and writer of the “Bipolar and Bipartisan” Substack.
Tyler has lived in Edgewater since 2022. He has volunteered as a basketball and volleyball coach at the civic center and previously served on the citizens’ advisory committee for the hiring of the city’s police chief. He is currently a member of the Edgewater Charter Review Task Force.
KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Discover Kalamazoo’s head honcho says 2025 was a slower year for local tourism.
She expects the same for 2026, but there is a lot to look forward to after that.
Tourism CEO Jane Ghosh recently gave Kalamazoo County commissioners a briefing on her organization’s status.
She says the “K”-shaped economy following the pandemic has hit lower income families harder nationwide and in our region, reducing travel.
“2025 was a tougher year, and so for the first time since I’ve been there, we have missed budget, that is primarily due to economy hotels are performing very poorly.”
Ghosh expects that to continue into the new year.
“2026 will be a challenging year, we’re budgeting conservatively because there’s still economic uncertainty that is impacting primarily the economy hotels.”
She says after that, things look rosier, regardless of the economy.
“2027 is gonna be a phenomenal year because we’ll have the Event Center, the youth sports facility, the State Theatre will be back open. It’ll be great.”
She says she expects about a $150,000 reduction from the accommodations tax this year.
Ghosh she says she plans to maintain funding for advertising the community but will be cutting some other programs that notify local businesses about big events, and making other cuts to balance her budget.
Youth and amateur sports generated $52.2 billion in travel-related spending nationally last year, outpacing spectator sports tourism’s $47.1 billion
Arkansas outdoor recreation contributed $7.3 billion to the state economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs
Statewide tourism reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a significant role
Fayetteville has attracted interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation
Purpose-built facilities like Centennial Park have enabled the city to host world-class cycling events including upcoming USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships
Youth and Amateur Sports Lead Travel Spending
Sports tourism has become one of the most consistent economic drivers in the country, and youth and amateur sports are leading the way. According to the Sports Events & Tourism Association, youth and amateur sports contributed $52.2 billion in travel-related spending last year. That figure surpasses spectator sports tourism, which generated $47.1 billion in direct spending and supported more than 665,000 jobs nationwide.
Ryan Hauck, CEO of Experience Fayetteville, the city’s tourism marketing agency, outlined the opportunity in a recent guest commentary. He noted that while leisure and business travel have softened nationally, sports-related travel has continued to rise, providing stability that communities increasingly depend on.
Arkansas Sees Measurable Returns
The numbers in Arkansas reinforce the broader trend. Outdoor recreation alone contributed $7.3 billion to the statewide economy in 2023, supporting more than 68,000 jobs. Tourism overall reached $17.4 billion in economic impact in 2024, with Northwest Arkansas playing a major role in that growth.
For cities like Fayetteville, this translates into hotel stays, restaurant visits, retail traffic, and extended visibility for local assets. Hauck emphasized that when communities lean into their strengths, including outdoor recreation, hospitality, accessibility, and local culture, the returns are significant.
Facility Investment Attracts National Events
Fayetteville’s Centennial Park illustrates how purpose-built infrastructure can unlock sports tourism opportunities. The facility was designed to host world-class cycling events and has already welcomed the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships. It will host the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in December 2025, with a return engagement the following year.
“These events don’t just bring athletes. They bring national attention, media coverage, and significant economic impact for our hotels and hospitality businesses,” Hauck wrote.
Beyond cycling, the city has drawn interest from the Women’s Football League, Athletes Unlimited Softball League, and Marshall Islands Soccer Federation about hosting future events.
Hauck called for continued strategic investment in purpose-built sports facilities and deeper regional partnerships. The broader takeaway for youth sports operators and municipal leaders is clear: communities that invest intentionally in sports infrastructure and programming are positioning themselves to capture a growing share of travel-related spending. With youth and amateur sports now outpacing spectator sports in economic contribution, the opportunity extends well beyond professional leagues.
via: Talk Business photo: Sports MNGT Degrees
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Weekend from Jan. 2-4, highlighted by Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. The weekend’s festivities celebrate and spotlight the Capitals’ array of on- and off-ice programming designed to engage youth from across the Washington, D.C., region with hockey. The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018.
Highlights of the Capitals’ celebration of youth hockey include:
The Capitals will host an ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) clinic and a co-ed youth hockey clinic at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Jan. 2. Led by Caps Youth Hockey Development program instructors and ambassadors, the clinics will focus on development and competitive games. They will also feature appearances by Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Paul Mulvey.
The ACAH platform aims to provide access to hockey and elevate the game for women and girls in the Washington, D.C., area, while recognizing players, coaches, parents, advocates and leaders in the community. Since the platform’s launch in 2021, ACAH programs and events have engaged over 5,000 women and girls with the sport of hockey. Click here for more information on the platform.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Open Practice | MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Youth hockey players are encouraged to attend Capitals practice on Sunday, Jan. 3 while wearing their youth hockey jerseys. Any attendee who arrives wearing their youth hockey or program jersey will receive a giveaway item.
Saturday, Jan. 3 – Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO | Capital One Arena
The Capitals will celebrate Youth Hockey Night presented by GEICO on Saturday, Jan. 3, when the team hosts the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. All fans who purchase tickets for that night’s game here will receive a roll of Capitals stick tape.
Pre-Game Arrivals: Select youth hockey players from throughout the region will walk with Capitals players during pre-game arrivals. Each Capitals player will be paired with a local youth player, with both wearing the youth player’s team jersey.
The youth players will represent the American Special Hockey Association, Capitals Inline Hockey League (a co-ed league established to provide a unified travel league for existing inline hockey players looking to expand their opportunities to play), high schools and youth hockey clubs. These teams include: Active Play, Ashburn Xtreme, Fauquier Dragons, Fort Dupont Cannons, Frederick Gargoyles, Fredericksburg Phantoms, Landon School Bears, Madison Wildfire, Montgomery Cheetahs, Montgomery Ice Devils, Navy Youth Hockey, NOVA Fury, Piedmont Predators, Potomac Lady Patriots, Reston Raiders, Richmond Renegades, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, The St. James, Tucker Road Ducks Washington Pride and Winchester Revolution.
Warmups: Six youth hockey players from ACAH, Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology and the Capitals Rising Stars Academy will watch warmups on the Capitals bench.
Starting Lineups: Six players from Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology will take to the ice with the Capitals starting lineup in honor of Youth Hockey Day. A participant from Future Caps Learn to Play will read the team’s starting lineup with PA announcer Wes Johnson.
In-Game Elements: In-arena entertainment and social content throughout the evening will highlight Capitals Youth Hockey programming. This includes the jumbotron showing Capitals players during their youth hockey days. Additionally, two local youth referees will meet that night’s NHL referees before joining them on the ice for the national anthem. The first intermission Mites on Ice presented by BMW will be comprised of players from the Piedmont Predators 8U team, and the second intermission will feature a relay race presented by GEICOwith players from the Piedmont Predators and Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Ice Devils 14U teams.
Sunday, Jan. 4 – Youth Hockey Events | The Wharf
To conclude the weekend’s festivities, the Capitals will host a Future Caps Learn to Play class and a Capitals Rising Stars Academy family skate at The Wharf on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Future Caps Learn to Play presented by World Wide Technology: The initiative is developed in collaboration with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA). The NHL and NHLPA have identified the need for a unified growth strategy as a priority for the sport of hockey. The Future Caps Learn to Play program aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants free head-to-toe equipment, eight classes of age appropriate on-ice instruction and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere. Click here for more information or to register for the program.
Rising Stars Academy (RSA): The Capitals Rising Stars Academy advances diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey by offering elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of color and their families. Through onice training, office conditioning and guided discussions about hockey culture, the RSA builds both physical and mental strength. Click here for more information or to register for the RSA.
Youth Hockey Development in the Washington, D.C., Region
The Capitals offer more than 30 ways to play hockey through on- and off-ice programming for participants age four and above, and more than 27,000 individuals have participated in a Caps Youth Hockey event since 2018. To date, the Capitals have refurbished or built 14 outdoor street/inline hockey rinks across Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia to further encourage participation in hockey. According to USA Hockey, overall, there’s been significant growth in participation in the D.C. area since Alex Ovechkin was drafted. The total number of USA Hockey-registered players (youth and adult) in the Washington D.C. area climbed more than 186 percent from 2005-06 through 2024-25, and 70% across the region as a whole during the same time frame.
For additional information on Caps Youth Hockey programming, visit CapsYouthHockey.com.
ATHENS — A Colquitt County student is among 30 high school students who’ve been selected for the Youth LEAD Georgia 2026 cohort.
Elizabeth Redding will join her peers for a transformative year-long leadership initiative facilitated by the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Chick-fil-A, according to a press release from Youth LEAD Georgia.
The program equips youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle challenges that impact Georgia’s vitality as future leaders of the state, the press release said. A $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A to the UGA Fanning Institute provides financial support for Youth LEAD Georgia. Thanks to this support, the program is available at no cost to participants.
These 10th- and 11th-grade students, representing 27 different counties, were reviewed by an external selection committee from a record pool of nominations, reflecting growing interest and competitiveness in the program.
Participants will take part in four weekend retreats held throughout the year in different regions of the state, a week-long summer bus tour visiting areas not covered in the retreats and a two-day statewide youth summit in Athens. Experiential learning is accompanied by dialogue on current topics facing the state, and interaction with business and community leaders.
Alongside hands-on learning, participants can apply for Bullard Community Champions grants, using their newly acquired skills to lead impactful community service projects in their local areas. These grants are made possible through funding from Regions Bank and Rodney Bullard, CEO of The Same House.
Time Out Sports Bar has announced it will also cease operations at its current location, with its final day of business set for Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. Notices posted at the bar invite the community to attend a “last day of business” event that day, with all bartenders scheduled to be on site from 3 p.m. until close.
According to the notice, customers who have funds remaining on the bar’s sweepstakes machines will be given a two-week window to cash out. Management stated that specific times for cash-out availability will be posted.
Time Out Sports Bar also indicated plans to relocate and said information about its new location will be shared on the business’s Facebook page.
The building housing both Margaritas and Time Out Sports Bar has been sold to a new owner. As of publication, the identity of the buyer and any future plans for the property have not been publicly disclosed.
However, according to filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a new Denny’s restaurant will occupy one of two lease spaces attached to a new convenience store development called Q-Mart, which is set to be located at 10280 W. Hwy. 29–is the same address as Margaritas.
Plans for the Q-Mart include an 11,766-square-foot main building, two fuel canopies, and a second lease space that remains open for a future tenant. The privately funded project carries an estimated construction cost of $3 million. Work is expected to begin in March 2026, with completion anticipated by February 2027.
A commercial demolition permit for Margaritas’ playground, covered wood deck and canopies was approved in December 2025 to occur Jan. 5.
Follow The Independent for more information on this developing story.
