School board eyes approval of new athletic fields at Park City High

Park City High School's home stadium is set for a major upgrade pending approval by the Park City School Board. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — Three phases of a proposed four-phase project to improve the athletic campus at Park City High School could be approved on Nov. 19 when the school board reconvenes to discuss the project further. If approved, the school board said construction could begin this spring, and some fields would be usable by fall 2025.

The details: A top priority, the board said, is building new softball and baseball fields, which will cost between $7-8M. The condition of the current fields and facility is far below the quality of surrounding high schools, and parents have long pleaded for improvements. Phase two of the plan includes new soccer fields, bleachers, tennis courts, a support building, revised parking, and demolition of Treasure Mountain Junior High— all of those improvements will cost between $16-18M. Phase four includes a new track and turf at Dozier Field, a support building, restrooms, concessions, and new bleachers, estimated at $9-12M.

Business administrator Randy Upton said the district could cover the costs for phases one, two, and four—totaling about $36 million—without raising taxes. He added that combining the projects makes sense to maximize the district’s purchasing power.

Phase three, which involves renovating the gym, adding a field house, and expanding parking, is estimated to cost over $90 million. To fund these upgrades, the district is exploring several options, including the possibility of a tax increase.

What about a pool?: An aquatic facility is absent from the plans for improvements. Coaches and swimmers’ parents say the Ecker facility is inadequate in terms of pool time and space. As a result, Park City High swimmers aren’t able to hold a home meet. Board President Andrew Caplan said the problem is mostly administrative.