For the week of June 19 - 25, 2002

School board approves Transportation Facility

---

By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

A new Transportation Facility for the new Wood River High School was finally put to bed last week when the School Board trustees approved a location for construction.

According to Dave Maloney of Kreizenbeck Constructors, Inc., sitework contractors have completed several aspects of the building of the new Wood River High School. Utilities, asphalt and curbs are complete in the south east parking lot. The landscape contractor has begun laying irrigation lines and the football field turf is expected to be put in place July 1. Work has also progressed in the gymnasium, locker rooms and vocal and instrument areas. The classroom wing is being readied for the steel erectors in early July. Express photo by David N. Seelig

It will be built on a four-acre lot just to the south of the Science Wing, adjacent to the existing high school. The facility abuts the mountains to the west, and a Woodside neighborhood to the east.

Residents of the Woodside neighborhood vehemently opposed the building site at three public hearings and one on-site demonstration held earlier this spring. However, the Blaine County School District trustees and administrators ultimately felt that this location served all the purposes of the plan and was the most cost affective.

"No matter what we do there’s always concern. But many times we’ve had to look at the total public good and how we can best serve them," said Superintendent Jim Lewis at his final submission to the board.

He added that the new facility would bring amenities to the neighborhood, including increased green space, a new hiking path, additional landscaping and new trees.

"We ask that the board stand solid in working with the neighbors in providing these amenities," Lewis said.

The board unanimously approved the facility, which also will house student services, maintenance services, computer servicing and food services.

The school district will now make an application to build to the City of Hailey.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.