FEBRUARY 11 - 18, 2026
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
Council floats ‘special district’ idea for Orchard Mesa Pool Brandon Leuallen
A
The Business Times
City Council workshop on Feb. 2 about the future of the Orchard Mesa Pool widened into a broader conversation about whether Orchard Mesa and south Grand Junction need a dedicated taxing structure to have better representation and to fund recreation and community amenities. Multiple council members floated the idea of a “special district” that could extend beyond city limits and ultimately go to voters. The discussion comes as the city prepares for the planned 2026 opening of the new Community Recreation Center, whose voter-approved ballot measure did not reference the Orchard Mesa Pool, 2736 Unaweep Ave., and that its closure and user base were factored into the budget assumptions. The discussion emerged as council reviewed four potential paths forward for the Orchard Mesa Pool, whose current operating agreement expires at the end of 2026 and after which demolition of the pool would proceed under existing agreements. While the pool itself was the immediate focus, several council members said the options raised larger questions about longterm investment, attention and how recreation services are funded in different parts of the city. See story Page 5
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 7
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Sunny outlook at new location
Atlasta Solar Center moved to 25 Road for more space and other advantages— See Page 2 Atlasta Solar Center co-owner and Sales and Marketing Director Matt Fowler stands in the annex warehouse on the same lot as the solar center’s new building at 584 25 Road. Fowler said Atlasta Solar Center gained 1,100 square feet of storage with its move there in January, and it is able to manage its inventory more efficiently. Photo by Tim Harty.
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