A Landmark Moment in Longmont’s Early Learning Vision
On May 26, 2025, the project team—led by EVstudio in collaboration with Golden Triangle Construction (GTC) —gathered with stakeholders and community partners to celebrate the topping‑out ceremony for the new TLC Early Learning Collaborative in Longmont, Colorado. The placement of the final steel beam symbolized the completion of the structure’s vertical construction and marked a significant milestone toward the center’s anticipated opening in December 2026.
GTC & EVstudio: A Design‑Build Team with a Shared Vision
Under a CM/GC (construction manager/general contractor) delivery model, GTC and EVstudio worked hand‑in‑hand to develop a 32,000 sq ft. (33,800 sq ft. per EVstudio) facility that reflects TLC’s long‑standing mission around inclusion, community, and equity. The ceremony highlighted the power of collaborative teamwork—from the architects and engineers to construction crews and community partners—to navigate design revisions and keep the project on track.
What Makes the TLC Center Special
This thoughtfully designed facility serves infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through integrated early learning and therapeutic support spaces. Highlights include:
- Multiple classrooms organized by developmental level, each with shared pocket restrooms and operable windows for comfort and compliance.
- A commercial kitchen (developed by Ricca Design Studios), professional development suites, therapy areas, administrative offices, and community training rooms.
- Exposed structural elements (like cross‑bracing) and a cohesive, nature‑inspired color palette to foster openness and well‑being.
- Collaborative outdoor space design by Norris Design, including two playground zones and a fire‑access track that doubles as a small‑bike pathway.
Significance of the Topping‑Out Tradition
The topping‑out ceremony is a time‑honored construction tradition marking the building’s highest structural point. It’s an opportunity to honor safe workmanship, architectural achievement, and community support. The TLC Topping Out event underscores the importance of partnership and shared vision in educational infrastructure. Attendees—project team members, design consultants, community representatives, and TLC leadership—celebrated the accomplishment and reaffirmed their dedication to the broader educational mission. As the structure now stands topped out, focus will shift toward interior finishes, installations, and preparing to welcome staff, children, and families in late 2026.
In Summary
The topping‑out ceremony for TLC’s Early Learning Collaborative marked a pivotal moment—not just in construction, but in the realization of a facility that embodies TLC’s vision of inclusive, collaborative early education. With the structure now complete, the journey toward opening this vital resource for Longmont families is well underway.