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Board approves rebuild and upgrades for three high-school-area fields with city partnership
Summary
The board authorized building or improving baseball and softball fields at Dilworth and Clayton (for Highland High) and at Rosewood Park (for West High), endorsing a city partnership to lower costs and sharing maintenance responsibilities.
The Salt Lake City School District Board of Education voted June 17 to approve a plan to build or improve high-school-area athletic fields at Dilworth and Clayton for Highland High and to add a softball facility at Rosewood Park for West High.
District staff presented cost estimates and a tentative partnership with Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands that would reduce the district's capital outlay by using existing park infrastructure (restrooms, existing baseball infields) and coordinating maintenance. Isaac Astell, who led the facilities presentation, told the board the combined recommendation budget was approximately $4.5 million, down from earlier higher estimates. The district had previously authorized a separate Glendale project that was projected between $4 million and $5 million; staff said the new approach reduces redundancy and conserves capital.
Why it matters: West High and Highland High athletic programs and their communities sought local field access after construction and scheduling challenges. The board heard community feedback and staff review of several alternative sites. Staff said Rosewood Park already houses a baseball field and multiuse areas and identified modifications to irrigation and fencing to support a new dedicated softball infield.
Key elements presented: - Sites: Dilworth and Clayton (Highland High baseball/softball improvements) and Rosewood Park (West High softball and baseball). Mary Jackson Field was identified as a potential nearby site for city programming while district fields are under construction. - Cost estimate: staff presented a consolidated estimate near $4.5 million for the recommended projects and said some earlier worst-case estimates have been reduced by the city partnership and by value-engineering choices. - Agreement with city: Salt Lake City Parks tentatively agreed to allow booster activities and to coordinate weekly mowing and routine maintenance, while district would fund construction and initial upgrades.
Board concerns and next steps: board members asked for itemized costs, a longer-term athletics facilities plan and clarity on parking, storage and temporary field access during construction. Staff said they plan monthly updates and to develop a ten-year facilities plan that includes athletics fields. Several board members also requested branding and other features so the temporary city-hosted fields feel like a school home field for West and Highland students.
Outcome: the board moved the field-rebuild recommendation to the action agenda and then approved building or improving fields at Dilworth and Clayton for Highland High and at Rosewood City Park for West High in a roll-call vote. Staff will proceed with design and coordination with the city and report back with bids, detailed budgets and timelines.
