FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Space to Create Grand Lake’s Makerspace Nets Major Donation, New Name Makerspace to be named Grand Spirit, thanks to Mike & Jackie Tompkins’ generous donation
Grand Lake, CO — Following its successful groundbreaking on September 13, Space to Create Grand Lake is proud to announce a $200,000 donation from Mike and Jackie Tompkins for the 3,000-square-foot Makerspace. In recognition of their generous gift, the Makerspace will be named Grand Spirit. Longtime Grand Lake business owners and former Grand Lake Creative District (GLCD) board members, the Tompkins' contribution is a major step toward providing affordable housing, maker, and retail space for the local creative community.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jackie and Mike for their generous donation and their continued commitment to the Grand Lake creative community,” said Steve Kudron, Town Manager of Grand Lake. “Their donation will be instrumental in bringing the Grand Spirit Makerspace to life, providing a place for artistic innovation and collaboration for years to come.”
As a key component of the new Space to Create Grand Lake development, the Grand Spirit Makerspace will be a hub for year-round arts and education. The Grand Lake Creative District (GLCD) will hold the lease for the space, with the Rocky Mountain Folk School overseeing daily operations. This collaborative model will allow the Makerspace to host classes and programming from partners like the Rocky Mountain Wooden Boat School and the Cowboy Trades Association, along with many other local artisans and groups.
The name Grand Spirit has significant meaning, as Native American tribes previously referred to Grand Lake as Spirit Lake. “The Makerspace is ‘Grand’ in the sense of being located in Grand Lake but also being a ‘Grand’ space where artists and craftspeople can achieve their dreams,” said Jackie Tompkins. “The whole idea behind having a grand spirit and living out your dreams is very positive and uplifting.”
The Tompkins have first-hand knowledge of the housing challenges facing mountain communities. “Space to Create Grand Lake is a project that will guide future decisions on how to continue to address the workforce housing shortage," Mike Tompkins noted. “Our friends and neighbors have given so much to us over the years; we are happy to support a project that will benefit the community that all of us love so much.”
Part of a statewide initiative to provide affordable creative spaces in rural Colorado, Grand Lake will be the third official Space to Create site in The Centennial State. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2026 with programming starting in the fall.
The Tompkins join other project funders, including Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), The Boettcher Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Rocky Mountain Wooden Boat School, Town of Grand Lake, Grand Lake Creative District, and private donors.
To learn more about the project or donate in its support, contact DiAnn Butler at grandlakecreativedistrict@gmail.com or visit our website: Space to Create
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Contact:
DiAnn Butler
Grand Lake Creative District