Gypsum now has room in “The Downvalley Attic”

Andy Clark has lived in Eagle County long enough to know that there isn’t much event space. He and his son, Max, created a partial response.

On the third floor of Alliance Moving Systems’ Gypsum warehouse is The Downvalley Attic, an approximately 1,800 square foot space that can perform a number of functions.

There is enough stair landing space for a grill. Inside is a kitchen, bathroom, stage big enough for a full band, and sound and lighting systems suitable for everything from gigs in a small space to sports nights.

All furnishings are from the extensive collection of items donated by Alliance. There is a loveseat that once stood in the office of President Gerald Ford’s Beaver Creek home. There is a pool table, a vintage jukebox and enough tables and chairs to meet almost any need. There are also memorabilia from Vail’s long hockey history, and golf clubs and vintage album covers adorn the walls.

The guests contributed

Memories are not all donations to Alliance. A guest recently noticed the jukebox and a few days later showed up with recordings that could be loaded into the machine. One is of Elvis Presley.

There is also a propeller from what must have been a very small plane, but it is a WWII vintage and in perfect condition.

Items include just about every jersey you can imagine from Vail’s hockey history, as well as framed photos and newspaper clippings featuring people associated with those teams and clubs.

Clark said the space was only recently completed, but has already hosted a handful of events. There are upcoming album release events for local bands who have recorded music at Maxed Out Sound, the recording studio on the second floor.

Clark is also thinking bigger, with an eye on youth and other community groups. Clark said the idea is to make The Downvalley Attic accessible to those who wish to convey positive messages to local young people, and perhaps involve local police.

“I want to break that natural apprehension” between kids and cops, Clark said.

This is not a public space – you must reserve it through Clark. If your group wants adult beverages at an event, that group must hire a trained and certified bartender and carry liability insurance.

But the space is there, it’s available, and it’s pretty neat.

A corporate event should rent the space, Clark said. There is enough audiovisual equipment to accommodate just about any type of training presentation. But youth groups, including the local chapter of Young Life, can use the space at no charge.

“I hope local businesses could sponsor” local youth groups, Clark said. “My real goal is to give children and families a place to come together,” he added. “It’s not about profit.”

‘Mission creep’

The Attic is a classic example of “mission creep,” Clark said. The project began with Clark and his son, Max, building Maxed Out Sound, the recording studio on the second floor of the warehouse.

This studio is fully equipped with keyboards including a beautiful sounding grand piano, drums, microphones, amplifiers and recording equipment. There are isolation rooms for vocals or acoustic guitar parts.

Max Clark made good use of the studio for his own country music recordings, and he worked with friends for music, podcasts, and voice-over work.

Once the studio was finished, Andy Clark climbed a ladder to the third floor and said to himself, “We could really do something with this.

The Downvalley Granary is the result.