Montrose Business TImes
The Montrose County School District has been awarded nearly $6.2 million through Colorado’s Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program to help fund the creation of a new early childhood education center in Montrose, according to a district news release.
The state funding, combined with a required district match of about $6.4 million, represents a total investment of approximately $12.6 million in early childhood facilities and programming.
The district said the project will establish a dedicated Early Childhood Center at the recently acquired Field House property, located at 25 Colorado Ave. The facility is intended to provide a centralized location for early childhood services and create learning environments specifically designed for young children and their families.
According to the release, the district will continue operating its existing early childhood programs in Olathe while expanding resources and support services districtwide.
“This project has been five years in the making and was identified through our community-driven Master Capital Plan,” Superintendent Carrie Stephenson said in the release. “It’s incredibly exciting to see our community’s shared vision become reality. This award represents an investment in children, families, and the future of our community.”
BEST grants are awarded through the Colorado Department of Education and provide funding for school construction and facility improvement projects across the state. The grants are awarded through a competitive process and require local districts to contribute matching funds.
Emily Ploussard, principal of MCSD’s Early Childhood Centers, said the project will allow the district to better serve young learners.
“Having a space intentionally designed for young learners gives us an opportunity to better support students and create environments that meet the unique needs of early childhood education,” Ploussard said in the release. “It’s exciting to think about what this will mean for the families we serve and the opportunities it creates for our students.”
The district’s Board of Education must formally accept the grant award before the project moves into its next phase of planning and design. Additional timelines and project updates will be shared as the work progresses, according to the release.
