Garfield Re-2 approved for BEST grant; leverages performance contract for building improvements

RIFLE, CO –  The Garfield Re-2 School District is pleased to announce that it received a Building Exceptional Schools Today (BEST) grant in the amount of $583,086. The grant will be used to support a $1.8 million dollar infrastructure improvement project at Wamsley that includes a new roof, two new boilers, new windows and several new exterior doors. 

Garfield Re-2’s BEST Grant is part of the approximately $120 million in state-wide BEST Grants recently approved by the Colorado Board of Education. It is the third BEST grant that Garfield Re-2 has received. The previous grants were used to replace part of Elk Creek Elementary’s roof and to improve Cactus Valley Elementary’s foundation issues. The competitive grant program uses funding from The Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Lottery, marijuana excise tax, in combination with local school district matching funds, to support construction projects in Colorado schools.

Wamsley Elementary was built 42-years ago in 1982. Much of the roof is believed to be existing with patches made over time and has outlived its useful life. The wooden framed windows and exterior doors are original to the building and are being replaced to improve energy efficiency and regular wear and tear. The two boilers are about 30-years old and have outlived their useful life as well.

Preliminary work on this project began at the beginning of June once school let out, and the bulk of the project will commence July 1 with completion estimated by August 9, 2024, prior to school starting on August 12.

This Wamsley Elementary project is part of an energy performance contract that Garfield Re-2 entered into with Johnson Controls, Inc.(JCI) earlier this year. Johnson Controls is helping the District save money through energy, water and operational savings and help fund a variety of health, safety, lighting and HVAC upgrades across the District, including the Wamsley Elementary renovations.

Johnson Controls conducted an extensive facilities audit and their work will focus upon:
Installing high-efficiency water fixtures and irrigation controls for improved water conservation;
Replacing outdated - some dating back to pre-1980’s - HVAC with new boilers, air handling units, rooftop units and integrated building automation controls for better maintenance, comfort and efficiency,
Major improvements to Wamsley Elementary; including a new roof, exterior windows, doors, upgraded siding and new floor finishes;
Life safety system upgrades, including panic alarms and security window film.

Through most of last school year, Johnson Controls replaced existing lighting systems to LED lights with dimmable controls across the district.

The remaining projects will take place over the course of the next 18-months. Garfield Re-2 is using funds from capital projects to complete $15.8 million dollars in facility upgrades and will use the guaranteed savings to support the project over the next 20 years.

“This is a great deal for Garfield Re-2,” said Facilities Director John Oldham. “We would never get close to completing all of these projects without a partnership with a company like Johnson Controls.”

Superintendent Heather Grumley added that the building upgrades help support the District’s strategic plan of maintaining a safe learning environment for students and staff as well as fiscal responsibility.

“The performance contract with JCI helps Garfield Re-2 save the district and our taxpayers money through energy, irrigation and operational savings,” said Grumley. “More importantly, it helps us improve the schools for our staff, students and community.”