Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Historic Junior/Senior High School Re-Opens After Major Renovation

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/13/22

Manzanola Junior/Senior High School in Manzanola, Colo., recently debuted a new campus addition and significant renovations to its original building, which was built in 1925. The 95-year-old structure was facing multiple issues related to the building’s age, including deferred maintenance issues, limited heating capabilities and housed asbestos, according to a news release.

 The addition’s design centers around a two-story media center near the west façade of the original structure. Learning spaces are organized into two wings that mirror the original design, creating a learning courtyard and extension of the media center. The addition also features new fifth-grade classrooms, new lab spaces, a gymnasium, locker rooms, administrative space and a reception area.

“We have such a bright and deserving student population and couldn’t be more excited for them to experience the new community campus,” said Superintendent Nancy Westfall of Manzanola School District 3J. “These reimagined spaces provide a collaborative learning environment and a safe, secure facility that honors our rural community’s long, rich history.”

Manzanola School District 3J partnered on the project with Wold Architects and Engineers, Nunn Construction and Vanir Construction Management. Wold helped the district land a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant to help fund the project, which consolidates all district students into a single, secure facility.

“As a local firm, we are honored to work with the Manzanola School District to revitalize its new community campus and honor the original structure designed by [Temple] Buell,” said Josh Grenier, principal at Wold Architects and Engineers. “This campus supports a diverse student population that deserves a safe, enriching learning environment, and we are proud to play a role in bringing this important facility to life.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Abstract tech network data connections with orange, blue glowing dots, lines

    3 Trends for Higher Education to Stay Ahead of in 2026

    As universities enter the new year, the question is no longer whether digital transformation is necessary, but how quickly institutions can convert technological potential into strategic advantage.

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.

  • Vanderbilt to Partner with ABM for Campus Preservation and Modernization

    Vanderbilt University recently announced that it has selected ABM Performance Solutions for a preservation and modernization project at its New York City campus, according to a news release. ABM will deliver its end-to-end ABM Performance Solutions (APS) model to manage critical operations during renovation and maintenance.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.