Lowell — The days of conjoined classrooms divided by a temporary wall are numbered at Cherry Creek Elementary.
The decades-old design required some classes to walk through a connected classroom to exit. It was inefficient and disruptive and didn’t meet the needs of the school’s nearly 500 students, said Cherry Creek administrators.
“It was open-concept learning of the ’60s,” said new Principal Peter Lang. “Imagine teaching fourth grade during an indoor recess day next to a classroom that is also in the middle of teaching, and how challenging that would be.”
“It is just not conducive to learning,” added Craig Veldman, who retired as principal in June.
Several of those doubled-up classrooms have already been gutted and are on their way to becoming new modern spaces with big windows, state-of-the-art technology and flexible and modern furniture. The grade-level classroom wings will be fronted by new common space and lockers.
The $30 million renovation of Cherry Creek, funded by the 2024 bond, began last fall, with work expected to continue in phases until early to mid-2028. Construction is being done by Owen-Ames-Kimball with design by TowerPinkster.
Renovation of the east parking lot is now under way, to be completed this summer. Other new features of the building will include a space for professional learning and large group instruction; a centralized special education classroom; and renovated offices and parking.
“It’s going to be a whole new building,” Veldman said.
‘Our teachers are amazing — a hidden gem of a staff. Now our building will match the caliber of our teaching staff.’
— retired Principal Craig Veldman
Students Helped Shape the Plans
In planning for the project, students on the school’s Student Leadership Team provided input on what they would like to see in the new building. They toured furniture manufacturer Steelcase, previewed furniture options and tested them in pilot classrooms.
All Cherry Creek students also had the chance to vote on playground equipment.
“We really involved student voice and choice in this process,” Veldman said.
Cherry Creek was originally built as a middle school; Veldman said it’s exciting to see the redesign focused on serving second- through fifth-graders.
“Our teachers are amazing — a hidden gem of a staff,” Veldman said. “Now our building will match the caliber of our teaching staff and the culture of our building. Our kids deserve to have a proper learning space and they are going to get a beautiful space.”
Lang said the school’s new design will fulfill their mission.
“It’s really quite interesting when you think about the design that goes into all of this, from the chairs to the colors of the walls to the lighting; it all ties back to the educational experience and the success of our students,” he said
Summer Projects Across the District
Elsewhere in the district, construction projects include the installation of a new roof at Murray Lake Elementary; new flooring, seating and elevator upgrades in the Lowell High School auditorium; new piping and a fire alarm system at Bushnell Elementary; and new flooring in the kitchen area at Alto Elementary, said Greg Pratt, director of operations.
Other major bond projects will begin after the majority of the Cherry Creek project is finished and are expected to extend over the next few years.
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