Construction of the new West High School reached a visible milestone this week with the raising of the first concrete wall panels on the northwest corner of the building.
Following several months of excavating and pouring footings and foundations, crews have transitioned to the next stage of construction involving tilt-up wall panels.
Crews are utilizing casting beds to build the wall panels on-site rather than transporting pre-poured sections from off-site. According to the Salt Lake City School District, this measure serves as a cost-saving strategy to help keep the project within its budget.
Phase One of the development includes the academic tower, field house, and the main school building. This phase is expected to reach completion in 2030, at which time students will move into the new facility.
The project will proceed into Phase Two following the completion of Phase One. During this second phase, athletic facilities will be rebuilt on the west side of 300 West at the site of the current school.
While crews will demolish the existing building, efforts will be made to preserve parts of the original structure. If found structurally sound, the iconic clock tower will remain to serve as the entrance for the new athletic fields. Additional elements from the original school will be incorporated into the new building to honor the history of West High, which is the oldest high school in Utah.
