Larry, who is in his last month on the Cañon City School Board, introduced Doug Abernethy and Christine Costa of RTA Architects. The firm was selected to work on the schools project because of their expertise with old buildings
The district received a BEST grant, which leverages excise tax from oil, gas and mining production for or education for construction. Two hundred million available was available last year for $600 million in applications.
Washington Elementary
The new two story structure is being built while students occupy the old school. Grades 1&2 will be in north wing, and higher grades in south wing. A bright color scheme is intended to create a positive learning environment.
The cafeteria is designed so that it can expand into outdoors on good days. The stage can be used both in cafeteria and gym
. The building also has break out spaces for reading and math groups, and those areas have glass walls for light and a sense of space.
. The building also has break out spaces for reading and math groups, and those areas have glass walls for light and a sense of space.Washington will be done by August 2020 then old torn down
Cañon City Middle School
The expansion is an addition on to the existing building that is being preserved as an historic structure.
Main office and community health will be on east side and student/school bus entrance will be on west side of the building. There will also be a health center funded and operated by Valley Wide Health Centers. It will help with learning by giving students a place to get treated for minor health issues.
There will also be a courtyard for outdoor learning and activities. There has been an effort to honor the old historic building in the addition without mimicking it because they cannot recreate the 1920s. That historic building all classrooms, with some improvements like more efficient and secure windows. The floor from the old gym is being repurposed for accents throughout.