A Pagosa Springs land mark, The Green House Restaurant, has become the home of Wings Early Childhood Center. The Green House Restaurant was constructed in 1986 with the dream of being a high-end restaurant serving Southwest Colorado.
For nearly 20 years, the Green House Restaurant fulfilled this dream. With spectacular views of the San Juan Mountains, it became a favorite late afternoon watering hole for Pagosans. In the evening, it was the place to go for dinner if you wanted to really impress someone. (We know of at least one blind date that led to a lasting marriage.) The Green House Restaurant was a favorite for prom night.
Adjacent wetlands provided close-up views of many species of birds.
Closing of the restaurant in 2004 was a great disappointment to our community. The building remained empty until 2018 when a community partner bought it and offered it rent-free to the Archuleta County Education Center, Inc. for use as an early childhood education center.
The Education Center secured approximately $600,000 from various sources — grants, Archuleta County, the Town of Pagosa Springs, and community donors — to be used to renovate the building and equip it for use as an early childhood education center.
The renovation has been documented through photos taken before, during and after completion of construction. We are now furnishing the building, building two playgrounds and applying for licensing as a large early childhood care center. When operational, the center will have approximately 45 slots serving 50-60 children ages 1-5.
Construction is complete. Current efforts include obtaining state licensing, furnishing the classrooms and hiring teaching staff.
Applications for enrollment and teaching staff are now being accepted. For more information, please visit https://wingsearlychildhood.org/