The end of an era

BRECKENRIDGE - There were a lot of mixed emotions as the employees at Kinderhut got ready to close down on Sunday, and owners Chuck Merritt and Craig Root both agreed the mood was both happy and sad.

"You can be bitter or you can say it was a great ride," said Root. "For us it's been an incredible run and we are so thankful."

After many years of being a landmark at the base of Peak 9, Kinderhut is closing its doors to make room for slopeside retail space, a change that both owners agree was bound to happen sooner or later.

In 2006 Beaver Run announced that it would be leasing several thousand square feet of commercial space to Vail resorts, thus displacing Kinderhut. Although the childcare center was originally slated to close at the end of the 2006 season, Vail Resorts granted the facility a one-year lease after local supporters packed a town meeting to present a petition with over 300 signatures.

"The bottom line is Beaver Run had to make a choice, and we're just glad Vail Resorts and the town helped us make it as long as we did," said Root.

A favorite of both locals and visitors alike, Kinderhut was known for its local feel and accommodating service, always ready to help make the job of a parent a little easier.

"Providing drop-in care is one of the things that set us apart," said Merriit. "We would rely on steady business from vacationers so we could provide more affordable options for the locals. It was always a lot less money to come here."

A sad good-bye

A heavy feeling hung in the air as employees said good-bye to families for the last time on Sunday afternoon, and parents that came in to pick up their children couldn't help but reflect on the service they experienced at Kinderhut over the years.

"We've been coming here for three years straight and we're so sad to see it go," said Victor Myers from Dallas, Texas.

"It was always a comforting feeling to be able to drop your kids off and then later hear that they had a great time," Myers added.

Longtime employee Tom Schrag, or "Cowboy Tom" as he is referred to at Kinderhut, couldn't help but feel sad as he watched over the group of rosy cheeked youngsters sitting down for snack.

"These are our little buddies and we really created a family here," said Schrag, who's been an employee at Kinderhut for 10 years. "It's sad to think this is the final day we'll walk in here and see kids playing."

For many local families the closing of Kinderhut marks the end of an era, and both owners say they have received a lot of heartfelt support from the community in the months and weeks prior to closing.

"We've had a couple families tell us that they only reason they came to Breckenridge was because of Kinderhut, we've been so blessed to have that kind of support from everybody," said Root.

Future childcare options

To accommodate the growing need for more childcare options, the town of Breckenridge is currently constructing a new facility on Valley Brook Street which is slated to open August 1.

According to Laurie Best with the town of Breckenridge, the Timberline Learning Center will accommodate an estimated 68 children, and will be a likely choice for those families that used to go to Kinderhut.

"I think everyone is really sad to see Kinderhut go and we've reached out to those families in particular to give them a special invitation to the new facility," said Best

Last year, a childcare needs assessment showed that two new facilities would be ideal in meeting the childcare needs in Breckenridge and Best said the new Timberline facility is a step in the right direction.

"We've gotten a really good response so far and we are now starting to go through enrollment and see how much space we have," said Best.

Those families interested in learning more about the Timberline Learning Center can call (970)453-9656 or e-mail info@timberlinelearningcenter.com.



Ashley Dickson can be reached at (970) 668-4629, or at adickson@summitdaily.com.