Statewide Starburst Award Brings Spotlight to Eagle

The Town of Eagle, Mountain Recreation District, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) and Eagle County BMX have been named recipients of a 2026 Colorado Lottery Starburst Award for the Haymaker Recreation Hub Enhancement Project as one of the most impactful uses of Lottery funds in Colorado. An awards presentation celebrating the success will take place on Friday, May 29 at 4 p.m. at the Eagle Outdoor Pool.

Chosen from a record number of applications, the Haymaker Recreation Hub was one of just 18 projects statewide selected to receive the 2026 award. The recognition highlights the project’s statewide significance and its role in expanding year-round recreation access and outdoor adventure opportunities for residents of all ages.

“The Starburst Awards showcase projects that demonstrate the real impact of Lottery proceeds,” said Tom Seaver, Senior Executive Director of the Colorado Lottery. “These investments help protect our outdoors, strengthen communities, and ensure Colorado remains a great place to live and explore.”

The transformation of the Haymaker site began after Eagle’s former outdoor pool closed in 2022. Through an extensive public engagement process, the Town of Eagle and Mountain Recreation developed a long-term plan to redevelop the site into a flexible, multi-use recreation hub. Completed in 2025, the project resulted in a rebuilt pool complex alongside new biking and BMX amenities, future skate park planning and supporting infrastructure designed to serve daily use, programs and community events.

“This project is about taking care of a community asset and making sure it continues to serve Eagle well into the future,” said Eagle Interim Town Manager Melissa Daruna. “It reflects a thoughtful investment in quality of life and a responsibility to create spaces that residents can enjoy for years to come. Receiving this award is a meaningful recognition of that commitment.”

A $730,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant, awarded in 2024, played a key role in advancing the project by funding several priority improvements. Those funds supported construction of the rebuilt pool, bike park, BMX track, and final design work for the skate park, and were combined with investments from the Town of Eagle, Mountain Recreation, Lottery-supported funding sources and in-kind contributions from community partners.

“The collaboration behind this project is what made it successful,” said Ture Nycum, Executive Director of Mountain Recreation. “This recognition reflects years of partnership and a shared commitment to expanding recreation access in Eagle.

Today, the Haymaker Recreation Hub serves as a central gathering place for swimming, biking, community programs and events, which supports quality of life, visitation, and economic vitality.