CANYON CITY — Grant School District is more than halfway through a nearly $8 million capital improvement campaign that will change the look and feel of schools throughout the district.

Completed projects include building access and security upgrades for Grant Union Jr./Sr. High School, parking lot paving at Grant Union and Humbolt Elementary, fencing, roof repairs, a new playground for Humbolt and seismic updates to both Humbolt and Grant Union. The total cost for those projects came in at just more than $3 million.

An overhaul of Humbolt’s HVAC system also was completed. That project was the costliest of all the completed works, at just under $2 million.

The construction of a new district maintenance building at Grant Union and an overhaul of the Grant Union student commons are set to be completed by the end of 2024.

A greenhouse and chicken coop at Humbolt won’t be finished until early to mid-2025, and addressing the Grant Union HVAC system is further out. That project could take until August 2026, although Superintendent Mark Witty said the district hopes to get the work done before the end of next year.

Show me the money

Funding for the capital projects comes from a mix of grants and district funds.

The district’s fund 400 is set aside for capital projects and is made up of money the district has saved during the past decade in anticipation of the facilities improvement push, Witty said.

“I’m grateful for past boards and committees that have gathered a chunk of this money to help us with these major projects,” he said.

No fewer than 10 projects are or will be partially or entirely paid for by the fund, which is contributing a little more than $1.1 million to the work.

The rest of the capital improvements will be paid for with grant money, although some of the grants require matching funds.

Pride in facilities

Witty said some of the projects the district has in the works were lined up before he took over as superintendent.

The top priority was upgrading the HVAC systems at Humbolt and Grant Union, which will be the costliest projects.

The equipment at both schools was so antiquated, Witty said, that it was all but impossible to maintain reasonable temperatures for students, teachers and staff.

“Those systems are quite aged, way past their expected lifespan and very challenging for us to direct heat in those buildings — let alone air conditioning because we didn’t have it,” he said.

Witty said the environment at Humbolt is very different now that a modern HVAC system has been installed, with everybody more focused on education than on the temperature in the classrooms.

In addition to improving the learning environment, he said, the capital improvements have also helped boost morale in the district.

“Really, you’re trying to demonstrate pride and, frankly, that matters,” Witty said. “You want your students, your staff and your families to have pride in your schools, and it is exhibited when you pull into the parking lot.”