Community members celebrate Clifton Community Campus opening
On the sunny Saturday morning of June 22, 2024, Mesa County officially opened the doors to the recently completed Clifton Community Campus at 3270 D ½ Road. A lively ribbon-cutting event was held to celebrate the launch of the new campus, which will serve as a central hub for the Clifton community.
County Commissioner Janet Rowland kicked off the event by acknowledging former County Commissioner Scott McInnis’ dedication to honoring a 1981 obligation to residents to use specifically earmarked sales taxes to provide everyone in the County with dedicated community spaces.
Director of the Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families Stephanie Bivins and Commissioner Rowland then thanked all of the funders who made this project possible, including:
- Congressionally Directed Spending, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper — $2.5 million
- The Colorado Trust — $1 million
- Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) — $300,000
- Daniels Fund — $100,000
- Gates Family Foundation — $70,000
- Boettcher Foundation — $70,000
- Caring For Colorado Foundation — $50,000
- El Pomar Foundation — $25,000
- The Goodwin Foundation — $12,500
Speakers Janeth Stancle from Senator Hickenlooper’s Office, Don Mares of The Colorado Trust, Tim Fry from CMU Tech, Dana Hlavac from DOLA, Molly Haas of RDG Planning and Design, FCI Project Manager Brady Blackmer, and Karen Loughman from the Clifton Community Center Citizen Advisory Committee all expressed their excitement about the project’s completion and gratitude for the hard work that had gone into making this dream a reality.
County Commissioner Cody Davis invited “Captain Kindness,” Clifton community leaders, and neighborhood youth to help cut the ribbon and officially welcome attendees to explore the facility. To symbolize the kindness, new beginnings, and hope for the future that the campus embodies for Clifton, Commissioner Bobbie Daniel signaled to release a flock of white doves, and the event was brought to a close.
Buzzing with anticipation, the crowd excitedly flooded into the new campus, where they could attend booths set up by service providers and other local organizations and tour the facility.
The Clifton Community Campus is not just a physical space but a hub of culture, education, and fun for everyone. It is equipped to host various community events, including the Clifton Farmers Market. The campus is also home to the new Clifton Childcare Center. In addition, it has partnered with local organizations to offer a range of services, from Meals on Wheels to the Wunder Club, CMU Tech, and the Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families. The facility’s gym, training rooms, after-school room, and outdoor pavilion are all available for rent, ensuring the community can make the most of this new space.
This long-awaited milestone marks a new beginning for Clifton residents, one that was made possible through the kindness of donors and by a passionate and loving community. Finally, the people of Clifton have a true multi-purpose facility that meets their needs, where they can come together and thrive.
To learn more, see event schedules, view rental rates, and get in on the action, visit the Clifton Community Campus webpage.
If you would like to view the full ribbon-cutting event, click here.
