The remaining structure of the Ute Vocational School-Head Start building is seen being taken down on Tuesday, Oct. 15. In the distance, the Southern Ute Growth Fund Building can be seen as a stark contrast of the past and future.
The LCB Tribal Administration building is pictured behind the Southern Ute Vocational School – Head Start before the full demolition of the building.
The Southern Ute Vocational School – Head Start building is set against the backdrop of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, which made their way over the southwestern night sky, Thursday, Oct. 10.
Project Superintendent Dan Thomas, with FCI Constructors, Inc., leads Drum newspaper staff through the Southern Ute Vocational School-Head Start building ahead of Monday’s scheduled demolition.
Sunlight filters through the windows of an abandoned classroom, somewhat unchanged since the time when students first attended the Southern Ute Boarding School (Ignacio Boarding School), which operated in Ignacio, Colo. from 1886-1981.
FCI Construction crews push walls inwards to the gymnasium of the Southern Ute Vocational School - Head Start Building on Monday, Oct. 14. The demolition took two days to clear the building, now crews work to clear the rubble and tend the lot.
The Southern Ute Vocational School – Head Start building is shown collapsing as the crew continues the demolition process.
Crews from FCI bring down the structural walls using an excavator, Monday, Oct. 17. Over the next several months, Construction & Project Management will be working to carry out the demolition and specific material preservation work as directed.
Day two of the demolition continued Tuesday, Oct. 15. Construction workers broke down walls and roofing on the south side of the building near the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
Demolition started on Monday, Oct. 14 for the Southern Ute Vocational School – Head Start building.
A quarter of the building remains as the demolition process continues Tuesday, Oct. 15. The grounds were continually wet down to keep the dust controlled during the demolition process.
The inside of the Ute Vocational School-Head Start building on Tuesday, Oct. 15, shows the remnants of the classrooms, water fountains, as well as other facilities used by various Tribal affiliates and the surrounding community.
FCI Constructors heavy equipment operators take a break from the demolition of the Southern Ute Vocational School – Head Start building.
An excavator with FCI tears down the north gymnasium wall at the old Southern Ute Vocational School – Head Start building, Monday, Oct. 14.
The demolition of the Head Start building began on Monday, Oct. 14; a bittersweet event filled with memories of the Southern Ute Boarding School (Ignacio Boarding School), which operated in Ignacio, Colo. from 1886-1981. Since the building's inception it has been a place of teaching, including the more recent Head Start education program – attended by many of the Tribal members in the community. The facility also hosted community events such as powwows, wedding dances, basketball tournaments, and live music during that time.
FCI crews are loading trucks up with the debris to be hauled off during the demolition process.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15 the historic Southern Ute Head Start Building was fully demolished, with its final wall torn down at 5p.m., the excavator sits on top of the rubble following the final demolition day.
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Krista Richards | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Conrad Thompson | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum