As a vocational education project nears the halfway mark at Manitou Springs High School, things are beginning to look remarkably different at the school parking lot. On the northeast corner, next to the track, the beginnings of the new house are taking shape.
“We’re hoping to have it finished by this time next year,” said Brad Borkowski, who teaches industrial technology at MSHS. “We’re doing better than we originally thought.”
This week, the roof trusses are scheduled to go up. Coming soon: the sheeting on the outside walls.
About 90 students in Borkowski’s classes are involved in building the 1,100-square-foot house as part of the school’s inaugural Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) Home Build program. The project, conducted in partnership with the Colorado Springs Housing & Building Association, provides hands-on experience for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry.
Area construction companies donated all the materials for the home build. When the house is completed, it will be moved from the high school grounds and sold, and the proceeds will be invested back into the program.
The skills involved in theome Build comprehensive program include carpentry, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, masonry, landscaping, painting and finishing, along with an understanding of construction technology terms and tools.
The program also serves to develop job-placement opportunities for students, who graduate with Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification.
At the beginning of the MSHS program last fall, when the raw materials began arriving, Borkowski told his students they would be outside working on the house whenever the temperatures were above 32 degrees with sunshine and no wind.
“We’ve stuck to that schedule, for the most part,” he said. “The winter weather was pretty mild. When it was too cold, the students worked inside, studying for the OSHA certification.
“The CICC program has been a blast and a lot of fun for me and the students,” he said. “Just to see the physical progress they have made, it’s incredible.”
Also helping conduct the program: Kolleen Johnson, director of Student Success at District 14; Tim Redfern, construction manager, field operations, G.E. Johnson Construction Co. in Colorado Springs and a MSHS Class of 1981graduate; CSHBA Executive Director Glenn Hard, Class of 1986; and CICC School Liaison Quinn Hersey, Class of 2019.
“It’s taken incredible dedication and a lot of courage and drive to administer the program,” Kolleen Johnson said, praising Borkowski’s efforts and pointing out that retired contractor George Whitt of the Manitou Springs Kiwanis Club comes to the construction site often to support the students and the program.
Manitou Springs High School is one of four Pike Peak-area school districts participating in this year’s CICC schedule. Others are Colorado Springs District 11 and Widefield District 12. Atlas Preparatory Academy in Harrison District 2 recently completed its home build.