DeBeque PK-12 School

In August 2014, LKA Partners, Inc. was selected by DeBeque School District, with assistance from CDE, to develop a Facilities Master Plan considering all of the District’s facilities.

The project was made affordable for this very blue collar community through a CDE a BEST Grant.  LKA’s assistance and familiar faces gave credence to the campaign message delivered by dedicated community members lead by the point guard of DeBeque’s 1998 State Champion Basketball team.  The Bond Election passed by an almost 2 – 1 margin.  COMMUNITY REUNITED.

Unique Project Features:  The simple organization of the existing Middle School/High School and its position on the gently sloping site, allowed the shared facilities contained in the old Elementary School – Art, Music, Auditorium and Library – to be located centrally between the Middle School/High School classrooms and the new Elementary School wing. This highly preferred organization allows for the desired separation of older students from younger students and allows easy access for both to the shared facilities.  The east-west orientation of the new wing also allowed the old north facing entrance to be shifted to be south facing with the new Main Office directly adjacent.  A welcoming “front door” is thus created, cradled between the existing building and the new wing.  Several High School functions were contained in the old Elementary School.  These are now located in a new Addition on the south side of the Middle School/High School.  The sloping site generates a 10 ft grade differential on the south side so the addition could be two stories, preserving open space on the small 8 acre site.

Following through on its promise to the DeBeque Community, the completed facility will provide multiple venues for community use.  The School Library has long been shared with a public library.  The new, expanded Library will be furnished with a grant from Mesa County Library District.  MCLD will also provide software for advanced STEM programs to be used in the adjacent Project Lab.  The new Theater will replace the old “cafetorium”, home to generations of aspiring thespians, with a state of the art performance venue providing an appropriate setting for continuing traditions.  The new Auxiliary Gym, Weight Room and Running Track give the community access to facilities that support their active lifestyles.