The Site
In 1947, the Creede High School and Library was built within the City of Creede, located on La Garita Ave. The school was designed by architect Jerry Crawford, who went on to create the gym and Recreation Center, as well as the adjacent Lamb Elementary School in 1963. Well-respected resident Leonard Gustafson was the contractor for the build.
The 16,000 sq ft building is a rustic structure of logs used horizontally and vertically, and at various diagonals, the roof and entry are gabled. The school library at that time doubled as the public library.
After obtaining a BEST Grant from the State of Colorado’s Department of Education, the Creede School District opened a new, state-of-the-art facility and moved outside town in 2015. The old buildings were purchased by a private investor and sat largely empty for the next 10 years, much to the community’s dismay.
In early 2025, Creede Center for the Arts acquired the property from the private seller, and a new era of revitalization was born for this unique historical space in downtown Creede! The old school once served as a central hub to the community, and our plan will rejuvenate the space to be so once again.
In addition to exhibition space, the floor plan will utilize existing classrooms to become a creative Center for adults and children, with workshop areas, an archives research Center, an artistic library, and a multi-use space ideal for hosting performances, presentations, and community gatherings. It will also house Center staff and artists in residence, a gift shop and office spaces for staff and other local arts nonprofits.
Plans for the Center grounds include a sculpture garden, extensive landscaping, and an outdoor seating area for visitors in the back of the property. There is ample room for parking, and an easy walk to town will make it a jumping-off point for all Creede offers.
Concept Creative Inspiration & Construction Cost
Upon securing the property, the Creede Center for the Arts Board of Directors commissioned an architect and local contractor to begin sketching and building a Probable Statement of Construction Cost for the Board to approve. The Center has now created a proper capital project budget.
In the year leading up to the building acquisition, the Center had engineers from all building disciplines come to Creede and inspect the building in person. Architect Gregory Friesen, Structural Engineer Steve Horner, and Electrical Engineer Brett Fuller. All disciplines revealed the school was up to code and could tolerate the renovations we envision.
Our Vision of the Space
The floorplan features gallery spaces for the exhibition of regional, national, and international watercolor work, including a collection by Stephen Quiller and traveling exhibits (e.g., the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society) that will draw art tourists.
The remaining space is dedicated (but not limited to) a multipurpose community room, research and archive space, large classrooms for creative children and adult learning, workshop and teaching spaces, and a gift shop.
The grounds include a sprawling public sculpture garden, a plein-air painting garden, and dedicated gardens for visiting artists and artists-in-residence.
Phase 2:
Outdoor Sculpture Garden – this can have a contemplative trail that goes up the side of the hill. On the west and north, protected from wind, is a large flower garden of sunflowers, hollyhocks, delphinium, poppies, and large flower shapes that can inspire painters. This is also an outdoor painting area that can be used for artists of all kinds.
Schematic Design and Construction
In 2026, Creede Center for the Arts contracted with Reynolds Ash + Associates to develop Schematic Design. Using this SD Package, FCI Constructors have developed a full construction plan.
Our Capital Project will happen in phases and is covered in additional documents found on our website.Capital Project Timeline
- Reynolds Ash + Assoc. (Architecture and Engineering) will finalize Construction Documents in July 2026.
- FCI Constructors (General Contractor) will provide a prepare a firm Guaranteed Maximum Price
- Construction will begin in October.
- According to FCI Constructors, Phase 1 construction should be completed within 11 months (so around September 2027).
Phase 2 construction is TBD, depending on fundraising.
Capital Project Budget
Capital Project Cost Estimates & Cost Control
Cost estimates were determined through a collaborative, data-driven process involving technical partners, specialized reports, and rigorous feasibility studies. The budget was developed alongside Reynolds Ash + Assoc. (Architecture and Engineering) and FCI Constructors (General Contractor), informed by the CSNA Building Observations Report and TG’s Geotechnical Study.
FCI provided a finalized Statement of Probable Construction Cost, including itemized breakdowns for sitework, masonry, and finishes based on RAA’s SD package. The budget accounts for specific historic renovation challenges, including Asbestos Remediation. To manage risks, it includes a 15% total contingency: 5% estimator's reserve and 10% owner's contingency for "surprises" discovered during construction. Additionally, Board Member James Stievater, PE with 35 years’ experience, provided pro-bono structural oversight and technical reviews to verify budget accuracy and efficiency.
Cost control is multi faceted. FCI will prepare a firm Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) based on 100% complete design documents. The architect will serve as an unofficial arbitrator for the validity and quantum of any chance requests for changes in cost or extensions of time. CCA is in the process of retaining a Project Manager who will be responsible to the CCA Board for the review of all change requests from the Contractor and Architect and presenting recommendations for settlement. We feel that the combination of a firm GMP from the contractor coupled with the controls from the Architect and Project Manager will ensure that the project completes on time and within the approved budget.
Capital Project Fundraising Plan
The CCA has developed a Fundraising Strategy Roadmap, and refers to that document regularly. The plan follows a structured five-phase timeline: Readiness, Prospect Review, Cultivation, Quiet Phase, and Public Phase. Since acquiring the property in 2025, the organization has pivoted to a multi-phase capital campaign to secure completion funding. The structure utilizes a mix of sources for sustainability:
- Private Philanthropy ($4.9M Total): With $1.5M raised, the campaign is focused on securing the final $3.375M through leadership gifts.
- Tax Credit Programs ($795,000 Awarded in July 2026)
- Grants, Foundations & Government ($600K): Targeted requests for capital support, with $300K already identified.
- In-Kind ($225K): This includes donated professional services, materials, and labor that reduce the overall cash requirement of the renovation.
Corporate Sponsorships & Naming Opportunities: From $1,000 to $1M, these include "Presenting Sponsors" for single exhibitions, all the way up to Title Sponsorships of physical spaces.