Swallows Charter Academy, home of the Spartans, is a K-12 school located in Pueblo West, Colorado. For ten long years, students, staff, and community members have dreamed of having an on-campus gym built for the charter school, and this dream became a reality in time for school to begin this fall. RTA Architects is honored to have worked so closely with SCA staff and community members from the surrounding area to help accomplish this dream.

On September 10^th, Dr. Cindy Compton, SCA Director, led a long-anticipated ribbon cutting for the opening of their new gymnasium, locker rooms, and a kitchen and commons area. Important staff and community members, such as SCA Board of Directors member Mr. Mason Young, SCA Building Corporation member Mrs. Liz Lutz-Essenburg, Director of School Services Mrs. Katheryn Meyer, and Project Manager at H.W. Houston Construction Mark Taravella, attended the event. Compton pointed out that the kindergarteners, who so sweetly sat with ear-to-ear grins on their faces during the ceremony, would be the first class to have a sports facility for their entire school career.

The completion of this building is a huge accomplishment for SCA and many people are overjoyed to see it finished. However, students, staff, and members of the community look forward to the future as this project is only the first phase of a larger plan for the entire school. Swallows Charter will continue to pursue funding for further renovation of their educational building.

Swallows Charter Academy did not only gain a new facility in this process, but also a newfound sense of pride. The school as a whole now has a greater, fuller identity and students are proud to play sports on their home turf.

RTA staff members Allison Johnson and Alex Asmus participated in the event and were filled with red, white, and blue school spirit. RTA cannot wait to come back and cheer on the Spartans to victory!