Fwd: 4H McKee building
Laurie Kadrich
From: Conor McGrath <mcgr...@co.larimer.co.us>
Date: Wed, May 17, 2023 at 10:54 PM
Subject: Re: 4H McKee building
To: <ell...@larimer.org>
Cc: Laurie Kadrich <kadr...@co.larimer.co.us>
Dear Ms. Copeland,
Thank you for contacting Larimer County and expressing your concerns regarding The Ranch.
You are correct; the Thomas M. McKee facility was built to complement and advance Larimer County 4-H Youth Development programs without expense to the club.
Our practice today aims to reflect this promise. Operationally 4-H clubs receive priority booking with the ability to book events twelve months before the event date, and clubs reserve space with the Extensions Office. Larimer County non-profits may reserve space at the facility six months before the event date, and these reservations are scheduled with The Ranch staff.
To further our commitment to serving the spirit of the agreement between Larimer County at The Ranch and the McKee Charitable Fund, The Ranch may and does use the McKee for a limited number of commercial events if Larimer County 4-H clubs and non-profit groups have not reserved space within six months of the event date. In 2023, The Ranch has scheduled eight single meeting rooms and six partial exhibition spaces for commercial events. Most commercial reservations in the McKee facility are used during the business day, leaving them available for evening reservations.
I have more information to share with you about our practices and how we reserve space within the McKee facility, and I am sharing this link to avoid a novel-size email. If you need help obtaining the information from the link or have questions about the information, please let me know.
Regarding the new 4-H Youth and Community Arena, this facility will be operationalized per the same practices that govern the use of the McKee facility. The Extensions Office and The Ranch staff are working through a process outlining the role of each party, and priority is and will be given to Larimer County 4-H Youth Development programming.
To alleviate concerns and provide clarity, Larimer County owns and manages the Budweiser Event Center, which the Oak View Group currently operates, and I directly administer the Oak View Group. The remaining operations and facilities on The Ranch campus are owned and managed directly by Larimer County under my direction.
Lastly, I have contacted the Extensions Office to ensure we have met the requested number of dates you have requested. It appears we have met the requested quality of dates you requested, yet if you have concerns with this, please let me know.
I appreciate you sharing your concerns, and please let me know if you have additional questions.
Hi Conor - This is a clear response and helpful information - thank you! The only thing that could be added is perhaps a question about when she tried to schedule space and/or an offer to assist in that matter. Not sure if it's after-the-fact or if she waited too long and this may be information for next year. That part is up to your judgment. Thanks!Lesli
Lesli K. Ellis, AICP CEP
Director
Community Planning, Infrastructure, and Resources
200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 498-5741
On Wed, May 17, 2023 at 3:45 PM Conor McGrath <mcgr...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:Hi Lesli and Laurie.The following is my draft response to Ms. Copeland. Please review and let me know what you think...---Dear Ms. Copeland,
Thank you for contacting Larimer County and expressing your concerns regarding The Ranch.
You are correct; the Thomas M. McKee facility was built to complement and advance Larimer County 4-H Youth Development programs without expense to the club.
Our practice today aims to reflect this promise. Operationally 4-H clubs receive priority booking with the ability to book events twelve months before the event date, and clubs reserve space with the Extensions Office. Larimer County non-profits may reserve space at the facility six months before the event date, and these reservations are scheduled with The Ranch staff.
To further our commitment to serving the spirit of the agreement between Larimer County at The Ranch and the McKee Charitable Fund, The Ranch may and does use the McKee for a limited number of commercial events if Larimer County 4-H clubs and non-profit groups have not reserved space within six months of the event date. In 2023, The Ranch has scheduled eight single meeting rooms and six partial exhibition spaces for commercial events. Most commercial reservations in the McKee facility are used during the business day, leaving them available for evening reservations.
I have more information to share with you about our practices and how we reserve space within the McKee facility, and I am sharing this link to avoid a novel-size email. If you need help obtaining the information from the link or have questions about the information, please let me know.
Regarding the new 4-H Youth and Community Arena, this facility will be operationalized per the same practices that govern the use of the McKee facility. The Extensions Office and The Ranch staff are working through a process outlining the role of each party, and priority is and will be given to Larimer County 4-H Youth Development programming.
Lastly, to alleviate concerns and provide clarity, Larimer County owns and manages the Budweiser Event Center, which the Oak View Group currently operates, and I directly administer the Oak View Group. The remaining operations and facilities on The Ranch campus are owned and managed directly by Larimer County under my direction.
I appreciate you sharing your concerns, and please let me know if you have additional questions.
Conor S. McGrath, PMP, MBA
DirectorThe Ranch Events Complex | Larimer CountyOn Wed, May 17, 2023 at 1:23 PM Lesli Ellis <ell...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:Hi Laurie - Conor is working on a response to this and one from Commissioner Shadduck-McNally related to this original question from Ms. Copeland.Kind regards,Lesli
Lesli K. Ellis, AICP CEP
Director
Community Planning, Infrastructure, and Resources
200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 498-5741
On Wed, May 17, 2023 at 10:44 AM Laurie Kadrich <kadr...@co.larimer.co.us> wrote:
Hi ConorPlease see the request from Commissioner Stephens, laurieSent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:From: Kristin Stephens <step...@co.larimer.co.us>
Date: May 16, 2023 at 9:27:58 PM MDT
To: Laurie Kadrich <kadr...@co.larimer.co.us>
Subject: Fwd: 4H McKee buildingHi Laurie,Can Conor respond to this one? Thanks.KristinSent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:From: "Larimer.org" <nor...@larimer.org>
Date: May 16, 2023 at 5:12:38 PM MDT
To: kste...@larimer.org
Subject: 4H McKee building
Reply-To: Hanna Copeland <pigs0...@yahoo.com>This form was submitted on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 5:12pm from https://www.larimer.gov/bocc.
4H McKee buildingHanna CopelandHello Mrs. Stephens,
I am writing because I am concerned about the use of the McKee building at the Ranch. It was intended to be used as a 4H venue, where 4H members and leaders could use the building freely. I am a leader for 4H and have tried to schedule meeting for sewing workshops. I have struggled with finding rooms that are available in the building, because the ranch sometimes rents out the building to paying organizations and gives them priority over 4H, who is not paying. I am saddened by this, because I would like to see 4H have access to the McKee building whenever we would like to be able to use the building. It does say on the outside of the building that is is dedicated to 4H. I am also concerned that the new arena that is also supposed to be dedicated to 4H will also be handed over to the Budweiser event center to be used as they see fit, instead of for 4Hers. Please help. Thanks, Hanna Copeland
Laurie M. Kadrich Assistant County Manager | |
200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80521 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-5741 | M: (970) 589-0674 |