Project Details:
The goal of the Kim School District project was to unite all grades in a single facility and provide students with a 21stcentury learning environment. Prior to the project, the campus was comprised of separate high school, elementary and PK buildings, with a cafeteria/gymnasium facility serving all three separately. The site also included the original historic activities building built in the 1930’s, which was no longer in use by the district. The project consisted of a complete interior renovation of the historic 8,000 SF elementary school built in 1938, plus a 24,000 SF new addition. The completed building provided the district with long over due educational facilities including a library, science and computer labs, gymnasium with locker rooms, a new weight room, VoAg shop and up to date kitchen with adjoining commons/performance area. The historic activity building was demolished and stone salvaged for use in construction of the new addition, preserving history and helping the old blend with the new. The renovation of the elementary building involved preservation of the original stone exterior and reconstruction of the original window openings that had long since been in-filled. The project team was challenged with preserving the historic building envelope while at the same time bringing the building up to code and seamlessly merging it with a new build, leaving the district with single state of the art facility.
DCS is proud to have been a part of this project and a partner with the Kim School District helping to bring long awaited and much deserved facility upgrades to students and staff.
BEST Grant Coordination:
DCS provided complete owner’s representative services including management of the BEST Grant received from the Colorado Department of Education and Dola Grant received from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Kim School District RE88 serves students from many counties in southern Colorado, many whom travel far distances to school every day. The BEST Grant allowed the district to complete the much-needed upgrades to facilities, furniture and equipment helping to retain students within their district. Because the school is the focal point of the community, the school was able to utilize the Dola Grant for spaces and FF&E purchases that could be used both during school and community events.
Project Challenges:
- Remote location affecting material accessibility and delivery
- Availability of subcontractors and labor force
- Demolition of historic school building with preservation of stone for reuse
- Constructing the project while occupied with students in adjacent buildings.
- Renovation of historic school building and melding with new addition
- Phasing of construction and site work during school year
- Turnover and occupancy mid school year
- Management and coordination of multiple grants - BEST and Dola
