Count the pink ribbons in this week’s paper!
We found the first one for you!
October 20, 2016 VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 10
Enter your guess online at LakewoodSentinel.com for a chance to win weekly prizes! 2016 Exclusive Sponsor: See ad inside for details. Winner will be announced in next week’s paper.
LakewoodSentinel.com J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
HIGH SCHOOLERS GET PINK FOR CANCER AWARENESS
Bond would be used for school fixes, upgrades The $535 million bond and $33 million mill levy override will be on the Nov. 8 ballot By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com Classrooms at Kendrick Lakes Elementary School in Lakewood are separated by portable partition walls. The office is in the center of the school, causing visitors to walk through hallways adjacent to classrooms to get there. The 625-square-foot cafeteria houses just five folding tables and a cramped serving line. The school was designed as an openA look at the plan school when it mill on PAGE 5 was built in 1970 with If it fails on brutalist architecture PAGE 5 that’s been described as lacking humanity and energy efficiency. The school, which serves the Alameda High School articulation area, is one of five schools slated to be replaced if the Jefferson County Board of Education’s bond measure — 3B on the Nov. 8 ballot — passes. “Acoustically, (the partitions) don’t make a lot of sense,” said Tim Reed, executive director of facilities and construction management for the school district. “There’s a lot of noise transition, which makes it difficult to teach.” Last week, as Reed walked around the 46-year-old school building — the average age for schools in Jeffco — he pointed out original carpeting, sinks and cabinets; a cluster of temporary classrooms built in the 1980s that have become permanent structures on campus; and the many staircases that prevent the school from being wheelchair accessible. “I think these kids deserve a better school,” he said. Jeffco Board of Education is asking residents to approve 3B, a $535 million bond that would provide money for improvements and repairs to schools. At Patterson Elementary in Lakewood, built in 1964, improvements would include new carpeting, getting rid of portable patricians that separate classrooms, replacing doors and heightening the ceiling, which currently measures
MORE ON THE BOND
Lakewood resident Addie Cravens gets her face painted during the tailgate event for the Pink Showdown football game between Wheat Ridge and Standley Lake high schools at Jeffco Stadium Oct. 14. More photos on PAGE 30. Photo by Shanna Fortier
Denver Christian celebrates new athletic center $10 million complex includes sports fields, concessions
By Clarke Reader creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com Denver Christian School’s soccer game against Heritage Christian on Oct. 13 could’ve been just any soccer game on an October evening. Instead, the game capped an evening for students, faculty and the school’s community to celebrate another step closer to completing its campus, with the unveiling of a new athletic fields complex. “It’s been a challenge to get here,” said the school’s CEO, Todd Lanting, during the field dedication ceremony. “If any of you have ever had occasion to doubt the love of God, just look around you.” The complex features a soccer/ football field, baseball field, eight-lane track, concessions building and press box building. The project cost about $10 million. The school installed a synthetic turf field because it requires less water and reduces pollutants like fertilizers from being used. The turf infill pellets consist of ground-up rubber tires as the cushioning infill. Denver Christian bought the 270,000-square-foot building and 20.7acre property at 3898 S. Teller St. in the Academy Park area for $7.6 million in 2014 in an effort to consolidate its three campuses into one pre K-12 location. Since then, it’s slowly worked on opening new features, like its gymnasium in January of this year. “We’re thrilled that DCS calls Lakewood home,” Mayor Adam Paul said. “I know everyone at the school is going to do great things in our community.” The evening of celebration started
Soccer players test out the new synthetic turf at the Denver Christian School’s new athletic complex. Photo by Clarke Reader with a girls varsity volleyball game in the gym, then a free barbecue. Athletes, students, parents and staff mingled while they ate, talking about that night’s Broncos game, the beginning of the holiday season and how the school year is going so far. “I’m close to speechless,” said math teacher and coach Ben Dirksen. “I’m so thankful for everyone’s prayers. I’ve always known the DCS community is a special one.” After the dedication event, which featured prayers and recognition of community partners and project contributors, it was time to get to the game. “It’s great to see all these people here,” said cheerleader Brooke Bartelson. “And, of course, the glory goes to God.” Oh, and Denver Christian won that soccer game, 4-3.
Bond continues on Page 5
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE NEW COMPLEX 160,000 cubic yards moved to build the field 3,016 linear feet of walls installed 24,000 bricks used in the walls 191,078 square feet or 4.38 acres, of synthetic turf installed 2,200 cubic yards of concrete poured 1,600 tons of asphalt laid 931 shrubs and grasses and 122 trees planted
ELECTION DAY IS ON THE WAY And we’ve got the rundown on all the races you need to know about as part of our election guide on PAGES 15-22.