Help Sherb Pay down their remaining loan for Cora
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Ridgway ChautauquaHelp us pay down our loan for 145/147 N. Cora - The "Key to the Future" property for Sherb & WCA
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Project Update: The Key to the Future Project ~ Cora Campus – 2025
Thank you for supporting the continued growth of the Sherbino campus. Our shared vision for 145–147 N. Cora Street is a flexible, creative hub where community can gather, learn, rehearse, create, and connect. We are still actively fundraising to pay down the loan on this key property—an investment identified years ago as foundational to the long-term future of arts and culture in Ridgway.
This year has brought an unexpected shift. Our long-time tenant, David, who lived and worked in the space for over 30 years, recently passed. With his passing, we now have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to restore, repair, and reactivate the building so it can truly serve the community.
Because the space functioned as a private residence and workshop for decades, there is significant immediate work needed before it can safely and creatively welcome the public. Current priorities include:
Electrical upgrades
Insulation and heating improvements
Drywall and interior repairs
Construction updates for flexible community use
HVAC and safety improvements
These are the critical “foundation” steps that must come before long-term transformation.
Our goal right now is simple and urgent: Make the space usable, safe, warm, and welcoming as soon as possible. This will allow us to host rehearsals, classes, workshops, small gatherings, and pop-up programs—while continuing to plan for the fuller renovation to come.
Your support this Colorado Gives Day helps us take the next steps immediately, while still advancing the long-game vision for the Cora campus.
Thank you for believing in a creative, connected Ridgway—and for helping us build it, one stage, one room, one gathering space at a time.
The Sherbino Theater and the 610 Arts Collective anchor the core of downtown Ridgway. As we consider future growth and programming, the two programming spaces reveal that they are each running out of space.
In 2019, the Ridgway Chautauqua Society (RCS) commissioned a Master Plan from John Baskfield and Kit Meckel, architects (Conterra Workshop). The goal of the Master Facility Plan was to consider integration of the existing buildings – the Sherbino Theater at 604 Clinton and the 610 Arts Collective at 610 Clinton – as well as full consideration of long-term expansion opportunities. Weehawken's needs were also considered within the plan.
In early 2020, The Master Plan identified 145 Cora Street as the optimal expansion opportunity. As you can see from the Master Plan drawing, its proximity to our existing buildings, good street frontage on what is arguably the gateway to downtown, and its lot size are exceptional.
In 2021 RCS and Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) jointly leased 145 B Cora Street and began utilizing the space for special event storage, classroom and theater rehearsal space.
In early 2022 the opportunity to purchase 145 Cora Street arose. RCS and WCA recently acquired 50/50 title to this property. We are jointly working on plans for how to use this property in the future. 145 Cora Street is an old building with much deferred maintenance but with enormous potential for our organizations and the community.
Phased Approach Details
Phase 1: Down Payments for RCS and WCA to acquire/close: $200,000 ($100,000 RCS / $100,000 WCA) - complete
Phase 2a: Remedy Critical Deferred Maintenance on property: $80,000 - in process. painting complete (2023). awning in process (2023). insulated window coverings in process. signage in process. removal or rear (rotted) tree in process. repair of refrigeration unit in process. Upgrade of physical internal space (flooring, walls, lighting, water heaters) - Still Needed.)
Phase 2b: Retirement of Loan for Sherbino's Portion of debt: $200,000 (goal - complete by Dec, 2025)
Phase 3 (2026-2027): Funding for, and then planning and design of a comprehensive campus to accommodate RCS and WCA current and future needs, to possibly include affordable employee housing: $100,000
Phase 4 (2027-2032): Fundraising & Implementation of campus plan, likely in phases. Likely to include remodel or extension of some buildings and possibly new building particularly on the Cora Street lot.