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Vision for new facility at the Douglas County Fairgrounds takes shape
Posted on October 22, 2024 2024News and EventsVeterans
Which words come to your mind when you think about our Veterans? Maybe gratitude, honor, or sacrifice?
It’s hard to describe the gift our Veterans give us, which is why putting these words into action for Douglas County’s nearly 20,000 Veterans has been a priority for Commissioner George Teal since he took office in 2021.
“In many communities, a Veterans’ meeting place, sometimes called a ‘Veterans Hall’ or ‘Post’ is a focal point for the entire community. As soon as I was sworn in, I let my colleagues know that building a Veterans’ meeting place was among my top priorities, and after discussing, they gave me their support to work on this important project,” said Commissioner George Teal, who served in the United States Army and is a Veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Pacific Haven.
With a vision in mind, Commissioner Teal met Mike McNairy, Commander of the American Legion Post 1187 in Castle Rock, who had a similar idea. He served 21 years in the United States Air Force.
“Mike had been working on bringing a Veterans’ hall to Castle Rock for quite a while,” Teal said. “I’m not sure if he became my partner on this project, or I became his.”
Together, they worked to identify vacant space, landing on an undeveloped parcel at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The concept was presented to the Board of Douglas County Commissioners and ultimately included in the first draft of a new Fairgrounds Master Plan.
With their shared vision – and now a place to make it come to life – Teal and McNairy engaged the Douglas County’s Veterans Service Office and the leadership of other Veteran-focused organizations in the County, including Veterans of Foreign Wars and Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation to create the new Heroes Hall Foundation, dedicated to building the Douglas County Heroes Hall.
“The role of Heroes Hall Foundation is to establish and sustain this new place – Heroes Hall – for our local Veteran population and their families to meet and enjoy the comradery they once experienced on active duty. It consolidates the support functions of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation, and the Douglas County Veterans Services, which can help them receive additional assistance and support. Furthermore, it allows Veterans to pursue community engagement and advocate for Veteran causes,” said Mike McNairy, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Heroes Hall Foundation.
The new Heroes Hall will be a central gathering place for Veterans and a one-stop-shop for their needs, including offices for Douglas County Veterans Service Office and the founding organizations – American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation. There will also be event space and a conference center in the 14,000-square-foot building and 7,000-square-foot basement.
The Heroes Hall is estimated to cost $15 million to build, primarily funded through private donations. If you wish to donate, please visit the Heroes Hall webpage to learn more. A fundraising campaign will kick off at the County’s Veteran’s Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 9. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Monument Plaza, 301 Wilcox St. in Castle Rock.
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