MPEC At Horseshoe Lodge: Because Education
Creates Our Future

It is becoming more and more clear: People need to know Nature. We need to feel connected to Nature, we need to know something of how it works, we need to understand that we are dependent upon it, and we need to love and protect Nature. And this is what the MPEC is all about: providing education so people know Nature!

But the MPEC has a problem: we have outgrown our current building. Demand for our programs is bigger than our current place can handle. The solution: the Horseshoe Lodge, which sits vacant and unused nearly all of the time, right here in the very park in which we operate, is going to be our new home. Along with providing us with a much better location for our current programs, and (finally) adequate parking for vehicles, the ultimate result of The MPEC At Horseshoe Lodge will be a beautiful, 4-season overnight facility. A whole new menu of programs, including retreats, trainings, more comprehensive environmental education programs, plus a wonderful rental facility for corporate retreats, agency meetings and others is our vision.

But the Lodge needs some work before we can move in, and we have a phased renovation plan in the works. Phase 1 of “The MPEC At Horseshoe Lodge” project entails upgrading the Lodge's middle section: upstairs, creating a couple of large multi-purpose rooms, having a much larger area for interpretive displays, a public restroom, an additional classroom, and offices. Essentially, Phase 1 will replace the current MPEC headquarters of 1500 square feet with over 3000 square feet. Insulation, heat, lighting and upgrading electric and plumbing are also a part of this Phase, as well as an uplift of the downstairs Dining and Kitchen facilities. We project to have this Phase underway by late fall 2007.

Phase 2 will turn the west wing into 13 semi-private overnight rooms, some with their own restrooms, others sharing new and improved restrooms that will be much more comfortable and inviting than they are now. This phase includes a breakout room built around the wing's fireplace. Phase 3 will renovate the Lodge's east wing with improved dormitory and restroom facilities. Breakout rooms utilizing the wing's two fireplaces are all a part of this phase.

MPEC At Horseshoe Lodge is the MPEC's first capital campaign, and it needs your support! Cost projections for the entire project are just shy of $1.3 million. Please be a part of the caring community that brings this legacy project into reality! Donors at the Blueprint Level or higher will have their names included on a permanent artistic display at the new MPEC Interpretive Center.

The children, flowers, wildlife, park and all of us at the MPEC thank you for being a part of this project! Please print out the Horseshoe Lodge supporter form below:

[Supporter Form]

Need more reasons to support MPEC at Horseshoe Lodge?

[Eight Great Reasons to Support MPEC at Horseshoe Lodge]

THE MPEC AT HORSESHOE LODGE SLIDE PRESENTATION

Connection to the Past, Hope for the Future

The word is out about the Mountain Park Environmental Center's exciting Horseshoe Lodge Project in Pueblo Mountain Park. Through this project, the MPEC plans to renovate the historic Horseshoe Lodge into a new 4-season Interpretive Center for the MPEC, including overnight facilities for multi-day programs, retreats and many other programs. The facility will also be available as a rental for business retreats and conferences. Most exciting, it will allow the MPEC to reach many more people with their award winning programs. Dave Van Manen, Founder and Director of the MPEC, is available to present an informative and entertaining talk / slide presentation on The MPEC At Horseshoe Lodge to groups and gatherings. A great way to help support this project is to host a presentation for your friends, family or organization. Dave is happy to share this presentation to large or small groups, in living rooms, church basements, luncheons, or halls.  Attendees will learn about the MPEC's many programs and the details of the MPEC's plans for the historic Lodge. Call (719) 485-4444 or e-mail mpec@fone.net to set up a presentation or for more information.