A move is on for the construction of a new high school in Boulder that may end up costing around $40 million to build.
A study group comprised of community members, students and teachers, has voted unanimously in favor of putting up a new facility rather than upgrading the existing New Vista High School located at 700 20th Street.
After several months of study, the group determined that the existing structure, built in 1954, has too many structural issues, including sagging floors, poor lighting, aging mechanical systems, and accessibility problems, to make for a cost-effective upgrade of the building.
It was estimated that it could easily cost as much as $36 million to upgrade the existing structure.
As proposed, the new school would be built at the site of the existing New Vista High School, directly across the street from Boulder campus of the University of Colorado.
Keeping the school at its current location is seen as particularly important given the relationship New Vista has with the nearby university and number of students who take classes there.
The Boulder Valley School Board is now looking at ways to fund the new project, the vast majority of which would be paid for by the Boulder Valley District.
If all the needed funding can be secured, it is thought that the project would take at least 3 to 4 years to complete.
By Garry Boulard
