Our History

The Mountain Club started out as a dream of Pat B. in March 1990, and he was the driving force behind its establishment.

Pat had his eye on the old VFW building which had been sitting empty and unused for three years. It would be perfect for an AA club. He contacted the VFW and found out they were ready to sell.

He took a group of interested AA's to look at the building before deciding to go for a lease/purchase agreement with the VFW.

A temporary board of directors was set up to spearhead the work on acquiring, establishing, and setting up the Club.

Next, the local AA population was surveyed to determine if there was interest in a club and if it would be supported by the groups. The response was overwhelming! A club fund drive was held from April 14, 1990 to May 4, 1990, collecting $2,891 from the various AA groups and meetings from Bailey, Pine, Conifer, and Evergreen.

As Steve G. had real estate experience, he worked on the lease/purchase agreement and negotiated a contract with the VFW. They rented the building for a year with the option to buy at the end of that year. The final purchase of the Mountain Club took place in September 1991. After the lease was signed, Pamela P. filed the incorporation papers, and the Club was becoming a reality.

There was a lot of work to be done in the three short weeks from the signing of the lease until the Memorial Day weekend opening of the Club. Many skilled members donated their time and expertise in getting the Club renovated. There was a roofer, carpenter, plumber, and electrician amongst the group. There were also lots of unskilled workers who helped with the general scrubbing of walls, floors, windows, etc.

The Club opened the Friday before Memorial Day in 1990. The first meeting was held at 8 pm on a Friday night. In the beginning all the groups along the Highway 285 corridor were asked to move to the club to help support it financially.

The first General Membership meeting was held on Friday, July 22, 1990. Only 16 people showed up for the meeting but much was accomplished. Information was shared about the Club's purpose, the by-laws, finances, goals, repairs, the difference between "a club and AA," etc.

The building needed a lot of work even after its "grand opening." One Saturday a month was designated as a work day to fix up the place. 

The Club has given our mountain community a focal point for recovery and fellowship. In 2010 the Mountain Club now has nearly 200 members. By God's grace the club will continue to grow and flourish so that the hand of AA, Al-Anon, GA, NA, OA, etc. will be there for the next suffering person who walks through its doors.

This Club History above was written using excerpts from the AA District 29 - Area 10 Meeting History created on 2007 by Val A..