Board approves relocating athletic fields to West Campus during rebuild; option chosen to save projected escalation costs

Salt Lake City School District trustees voted Feb. 8 to adopt the staff-recommended approach to athletic facilities for the West High reconstruction: to relocate and concentrate athletic fields at the West Campus ("Option 2" in staff materials) rather than build across the site in a phasing that would trigger major utility relocations and multi-year escalation costs.

The decision followed a months-long planning process with architects and contractors. Staff described two build options: one that spread construction and left more of the campus in place until later phases (Option 1), and a second that concentrates most construction on the Capital-side parcel so work can be done sooner and as a single construction sequence (Option 2). Contractors told staff that Option 1 would require relocating utilities under an old right-of-way (200 North easement) and would add substantial schedule and cost escalation earmarked at roughly $20'$25 million in additional costs due to extended project timelines and utility work.

Why it matters: the board's choice affects how long West and other high-school teams will need alternate facilities, which fields are temporarily unavailable and which community properties the district may invest in for upgraded fields. Staff stressed they will pursue partnerships and will seek to keep disruptions to students as limited as possible.

Vote and immediate direction: the motion carried on a roll-call vote (6'0yes, 0'no; one board member absent) approving Option 2 and directing Auxiliary Services and the project team to provide more detailed cost estimates for temporary field improvements and interim arrangements to support athletics during the rebuild. The board also moved the field-space topic to the action agenda for tonight's meeting and then approved Option 2 in a separate motion.

Operational details staff presented: - Schedule: staff and contractors recommended accelerating construction on the campus parcel that would allow approximately 90% of build work to occur earlier rather than splitting the project across disjointed phases; moving faster reduces multi-year escalation costs. - Athletics impacts and durations: staff estimated some sports will need off-site or temporary facilities for multiple seasons: track (up to 6'7 seasons), baseball/softball (approx. 4 seasons), and tennis (multi-season); football field work was estimated at 1'2 seasons (depending on sequencing). - Potential interim sites and costs (district-owned properties were evaluated): Glendale track could be upgraded (estimated about $4 million) for track/soccer/lacrosse; Riley Elementary and Dilworth were identified as potential baseball/softball field locations with estimated upgrades ranging roughly $1.5'$2.5 million depending on scope and whether restrooms/locker rooms are included.

Board members asked staff to: (a) refine cost estimates, (b) seek partnerships and donor support where feasible, (c) bring options for interim public access and scheduling, and (d) coordinate community outreach in West'side neighborhoods. Staff will return with a side-by-side financial comparison of the two site-plan options, refined cost estimates for temporary fields, and a recommended timeline for construction and interim athletics arrangements.