As the school year kicks off and students return to the classrooms, construction continues on the new Springville High School, which is being built adjacent to the current building.
According to the Nebo School District, the construction, which began in earnest earlier this year, is only about 37 percent complete, with the school’s opening still planned for Fall of 2026.
Construction on the new school is progressing well, however. Much of the current work is centered on the sports fields, which are meant to be usable during the school year. Fencing is being installed around the baseball field and concrete is being poured for areas around the softball field. Construction of new softball dugouts is also underway. Earlier this year, at the beginning of the new construction, both fields were graded and landscaped, which is now nearly complete. New lighting and backstops are also being installed for the fields, along with upgrades to the concession stand and announcer booth.
Due to the new construction, Red Devil Drive has been closed for most of the summer. Much of the work has been centered on the roundabout there, which will hopefully help ease congestion during times of high traffic. The new parking lot and the new Red Devil Drive roundabout are set to be completed by August 10.
The new high school is part of an effort to update several of the high schools within Nebo School District. Once construction on the new building is complete, the former high school is set to be demolished. High schools in Spanish Fork and Payson are also set for demolition as new buildings are being constructed to replace them. There was outcry earlier in the process surrounding Payson High, which has some historical significance as it was featured heavily in the 1984 film Footloose.
The changes to these schools are meant to improve safety and add space for a growing student population. According to Nebo School District Community Relations Specialist Seth Sorenson, these new buildings will be “future-proofed.” What this means is that they will be constructed in a way that new additions will be able to be added, making it easier to accommodate growth in the area.
Construction on the new buildings will continue through the new school year while students take their classes in the old buildings.
The three high schools were built over 60 years ago and are in need of an update. They were built before seismic codes and much of the technology that is now widespread in modern classrooms. The new buildings will be safer and more comfortable, making room for updated HVAC systems.
The update to Springville High School was approved by the city council in 2021, with the Nebo School District Board of Education approving their part shortly after. The design process began following the approval, with new designs for the building being proposed by architects. The process took years while they designed the placement of parking lots, sports fields, and room for future expansions. Architects also had the difficult task of designing the new school to be built while classes continued in the old building.
Of course, due to the ongoing construction, the parking situation may still be difficult as much of the surrounding area is used for staging building materials. Students may be faced with a diminished parking area once the school year begins.
While there are various pieces to the puzzle that will become Springville High School, statements released by the Nebo School District said that the project is still on budget. Capital funds are being used on top of bond funds to help offset any added costs.
