Board approves relocating most athletic fields to Capitol campus during West High rebuild, cites $20–25M savings

Salt Lake City School District trustees on Feb. 8 approved a construction strategy for the West High rebuild that favors placing most athletic fields on the school’s Capitol‑campus side to reduce utility‑relocation work and shorten the project timeline.

What the board decided: By recorded roll call, the board voted to approve “Option 2” as presented by auxiliary services and the district’s architects — a campus arrangement that shifts about 90% of construction to the Capitol side and keeps athletic fields on district‑owned parcels near that campus. The motion carried on a roll‑call vote in which six members voted yes; at least one board member was recorded absent for the vote.

Why it matters: District staff and contractors told the board that the campus option the board approved would avoid complex utility relocation that would otherwise add years of schedule risk and an estimated $20–25 million in escalation and relocation cost. Shortening the phased construction timeline would reduce inflation risk on labor and materials and allow more construction to be completed up front.

Temporary impacts and costs: Staff said the rebuild will affect track, tennis, baseball, softball and other field sports for multiple seasons. The district presented preliminary cost estimates for improving nearby district properties to serve as temporary or semi‑permanent athletic sites: an upgraded track and field with spectator and team amenities at Glendale, a baseball field retrofit at Riley Elementary, a softball solution at Mary Jackson, a Clayton Middle School softball site, and a renovated diamond at Dilworth. Staff advised the board that costs for individual field upgrades ranged roughly from $1.5 million to $4 million depending on scope; the architects said Option 2 could save $20–25 million at the West High project level versus the alternative that would require significant utility relocations.

Board questions and next steps: Board members asked staff to gather more detailed estimates, to ensure athletic directors and coaches weigh in on proposed temporary locations, and to pursue community outreach near affected sites. The superintendent and auxiliary‑services staff said they would return with a side‑by‑side cost comparison of Option 1 and Option 2, firm estimates for each proposed temporary field, and a timeline for design, bidding and construction. Staff said the design target is to complete design this fall, put the work out to bid and break ground next spring.

Formal action: The board’s vote authorizes staff to proceed with the Option 2 approach and to develop final construction documents, community engagement steps and detailed cost estimates for the temporary fields; staff will circulate the more detailed costs and options at a subsequent meeting.

Ending: District staff said they will also pursue partnerships and outside funding where feasible and will return with a more granular financial plan contemporaneous with final design.