This article was published on Western State’s website today. (click to go to Western’s site)

GUNNISON, Colo. – Members of the Western State College football coaching staff and student-athletes spent last Saturday morning and afternoon clearing the lot at the Eighth Street Schoolhouse that will soon include expanded programming for the Gunnison County Partners organization.

The team cleared brush, trimmed trees, cut and mowed weeds, broke up concrete and cleared the lot of debris and logs. The Mountaineers kept a series of trucks and trailers running between the lot and various landfills and also cleared and cleaned the schoolhouse to prepare the building for a major renovation as a community center.

The Mountaineers were assisted by Partners mentors as well as members from Christopher Klein Construction, who provided a backhoe and truck for the project. The team spent 3+ hours working on the property before being joined by junior and senior Partners for lunch.

The Eighth Street Schoolhouse is the oldest public building in Gunnison and located at the intersection of Tomichi and Eighth. The lot was purchased by Partners last year from the defunct Sage Mountain School.

Gunnison Partners is in its 21st year of operation of providing one-on-one mentorship to local youth.  The organization promotes the healthy growth of young people through mentorship and supporting services by initiating and participating in other community educational, developmental, recreational and social activities which foster self-esteem and promote positive decision making in youth. To become engaged with the Partners organization, visit the group’s website or call (970) 641-5513.

We truly appreciate the hard work and “sweat equity” that took place over the weekend.  We plan to begin work on the old school building as early as next summer in 2012.

Feel free to stop by anytime!