Mapleton launches capital campaign to convert unused middle-school into community hub and maker space

District staff presented a capital campaign and a "shop and donate" webpage to support renovations converting the long-unused middle-school building into a community hub with maker spaces, a commercial-grade kitchen for culinary programs, a confidential health room for community providers, and expanded garden and food-preparation facilities.

A staff member described the campaign's visible donor recognition: "when you walk in... there's a 3D tree... those leaves with every purchase with the names on them are gonna fill this tree up, to show investments." That staff member also reported early fundraising: "as of this morning, we have already had 22 donations for $855" and later participants noted the total reaching about $985.24. Student presenters described hands-on learning projects: a DTF printer to produce school merchandise, a maker space for design projects, expanded gardening tied to a farm-to-school program, and a team room with seating and recreational tables to support older students.

Staff emphasized that community donations will be used as matching funds for grant applications to support capital improvements and that the website will be used to collect gifts and show progress. Board members and staff encouraged continued outreach and signaled plans to publish the campaign materials on social media and the district site to solicit broader community support.

Next steps: staff will maintain the donation page, track fundraising progress for grant match purposes, and incorporate donor recognition into the middle-school renovation plan.